Police In Madrid Break Up Huge Snowball Fight

Police in Madrid have broken up a number of huge snowball fights over the weekend due to coronavirus restrictions.

Storm Filomena has left the Spanish capital blanketed in more than 20 inches (50cm) of snow - the most to fall in the country for 50 years.

And, while people rushed out to make the most of the unusual snowfall, cops were forced to step in as people are only permitted to gather in groups of six or less and must stick to the 12am to 6am curfew, ITV reports.

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Coronavirus cases have been on the rise in Spain since Christmas - the country has recorded almost 52,000 Covid-19 deaths and more than two million cases.

In an attempt to break up the snowball fights, police drove between crowds.

According to Euro Weekly News, police broke up one huge snowball fight of around 70 people in Plaza de Callao and Gran Vía.

AFP reports that large parks have since been closed in Madrid, while the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas International Airport has also been closed.

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Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida has warned people to stay inside, posting on Twitter: "Being outside in the street right now is a danger for your physical wellbeing."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged people to stay at home during the storm and to follow the advice of emergency services.

Four people have died across Spain due to Storm Filomena, with officials saying two people froze to death Calatayud and Zarzalejo; while two others were swept away by floods in Malaga.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia tweeted warning people to be careful, writing: "The royal family would like to express their sorrow for victims of the storm... and ask for extreme caution against the risks of accumulation of ice and snow."

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The military has been drafted in to help deal with the 'unprecedented' snowfall.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has said the government is taking extra steps to ensure that Spain's weekly delivery of the coronavirus vaccine can be safely distributed to where it needs to go.

Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos said yesterday (10 January): "The commitment is to guarantee the supply of health, vaccines and food. Corridors have been opened to deliver the goods."

The cold weather is set to stick around, with temperatures as low as -12°C (10F) in some areas until Thursday.

Topics: Weather, World News, Spain

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19