Spanish Police Wrong-Footed As 25,000 Party At Madrid University
NDTV
Police tried to keep the peace and ensure there were no incidents, especially on the nearby roads and public transport, staying at the site until dawn.
Around 25,000 people joined a massive outdoor drinking party marking the start of term at a Madrid university without observing safety precautions, police said Saturday, admitting they were caught off-guard.
Spanish media said it was the biggest such gathering since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic when large public gatherings were halted to stop the spread of the virus.
"There were thousands of people on the grounds of Complutense University, about 25,000," a municipal police statement said, indicating the gathering appeared to have been organised online via Whatsapp.
Images on social media showed vast crowds of beaming youngsters gathered on the campus, drinking, dancing and hanging out with hardly a mask in sight.
