Riot between Roma and Nigerians in Palma

FIVE Nigerians were arrested after a gang fight broke out between Nigerian immigrants and the local Roma community in the Son Gotleu neighbourhood of Palma.

The riot started following the death of a Nigerian man who fell from the fourth floor of a building on Calle Tomas Rullan. Nigerians accused a member of the Roma community of pushing him, which is what instigated the gang fight.

Police believe that the victim may have been trying to burgle the property, was surprised by the owner who began shouting causing the Nigerian to fall. They say it was an ‘unfortunate accident’, but that no gypsies were involved.

More than 100 people took to the streets for more than three hours. Some allegedly threw rocks at and insulted riot police as well as setting fire to cars and containers as well as causing damage to property.

Officers fired rubber bullets at the rioters to break up the gangs. Of the detainees, three were illegal immigrants and another has a criminal history for crimes against public health.

The Nigerians accused the police of being racist as they “arrested only black people and none of the gypsies”.

Officers continue to patrol the area as tensions are said to be high, according to Citizen Security Councillor Guillermo Navarro.

By Nicole Hallett