The Ereaga beach, one of the most crowded stretches of sand in Bizkaia, has become a recurring headache for the Ertzaintza and municipal police. Last Friday, the day was marked by a series of disturbances that overwhelmed law enforcement. A large brawl erupted, reportedly stemming from a young man looking at another's girlfriend. Nearby, an individual of North African origin chased a swimmer with a screwdriver after being reprimanded for his behavior. Numerous thefts also occurred on the sand, mostly opportunistic, and a woman suffered a heatstroke, requiring emergency hospitalization in critical condition.
Police sources described the day as one of the most incident-packed in a short period, leaving officers "overwhelmed at many moments." Ereaga beach, the closest to the Bilbao metropolitan area, boasts good transport links, attracting hundreds of people on sunny days via car, bus, and metro. It also has a large parking facility nearby. In the summer of 2024, approximately 190,000 people visited the location.
Under these circumstances, "all sorts" arrive at Ereaga, according to the same sources: those seeking a day at the beach, groups engaging in public drinking, and criminals who exploit the crowds for theft. This latter group is of particular concern to authorities, with individuals waiting for beachgoers to enter the water before stealing their belongings, such as phones, backpacks, and wallets. These subjects have been intimidating young people in Getxo near the promenade.
Officers found themselves "overwhelmed at many moments," unable to attend to all the disturbances occurring.
These issues have been a constant during crowded summer days. Last year, the local police implemented a special operation on the beach due to a wave of robberies, deploying plainclothes officers to blend in with bathers to detect thieves.
Friday's events surpassed previous negative experiences. Mid-afternoon, with the beach packed, several fights broke out in different areas. The most serious involved numerous individuals. Simultaneously, multiple robberies occurred on the sand, with eyewitnesses reporting that responding patrols were struggling to cope.
The incidents at Ereaga highlight the need for "preventive measures." Several residents noted an increase in controls and police presence at the beach entrances following the events. However, many residents feel uniformed patrols are lacking on the sand itself, believing their presence would deter criminals.
