MADRID: Spain’s capital is grappling with the aftermath of violent unrest following the death of an African street vendor who had been running away from police officers.

The death, and the clashes between riot police and protesters that followed late on Thursday in a central Madrid neighbourhood, cast a spotlight on the precarious situation of a large community of undocumented migrants.

Madrid Mayor Manuela Car­mena on Friday announced a “thorough investigation” into the death of the man.

According to city officials, he was treated for a cardiorespiratory arrest that took place an unspecified time after he escaped a police crackdown on informal street sales on Thursday.

Subsequent protests by hun­­dreds of African mig­ra­nts and Spanish residents de­­generated into rioting. Dem­onstrators burned plastic trash cans, blocking narrow streets and setting fire to a bank branch.

A reporter saw protesters throw stones at dozens of riot police officers.

Police said six people were arrested. According to the Madrid region’s emergency services, 20 people were tre­a­­­­­­­­­ted for minor injuries, inc­luding 16 police officers.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2018