Four first-year students at the Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC) Pirineus campus in La Seu d’Urgell were treated at the Fundació Sant Hospital on Monday, 28 September 2026, after suffering acute alcohol intoxication during an unofficial freshers’ initiation event. One of the affected students was under 18. The incident occurred during a gathering organised by second-year Ciències de l’Activitat Física i l’Esport (CAFE) students between 17:00 and 21:00 outside official facilities and academic hours. According to reports from Segre, the event included a drinking challenge as part of a scavenger hunt-style activity, which led to the hospitalisations.

Institution Denounces Event, Launches Internal Review

Eduard Inglés Yuba, Director General of INEFC Catalonia, confirmed that initiation rituals, known as 'novatades', have been strictly prohibited across all INEFC centres for six years. He stated the institution has no affiliation with the event and stressed it would not be tolerated if held on campus or during teaching hours.

The activity is prohibited, and we are taking this seriously. We will take the necessary measures against those responsible.

Inglés added that INEFC has equality commissions and disciplinary procedures in place to address such incidents. The centre has begun interviewing students individually to verify whether second-year participants overstepped boundaries. The Mossos d’Esquadra have opened preliminary inquiries after being alerted by hospital staff. While no formal complaint has yet been filed by families or victims, three of whom are adults, the case will be referred to the court in La Seu for potential legal action.

Campus Background and Ongoing Safety Measures

The INEFC Pirineus campus currently operates from the Centre Cultural Les Monges in La Seu d’Urgell while its permanent facilities are under construction. The project, highlighted in the INEFC 2024–2025 annual report, marked a milestone this year with the graduation of its first cohort of 40 outdoor sports specialists, reinforcing the town’s status as a hub for mountain, river, and snow sports education. Despite the positive developments, the institution reaffirmed its commitment to safe, inclusive student integration, noting ongoing work with internal equality bodies to prevent harmful traditions. Students and staff are reminded that any future violations of conduct rules may lead to formal sanctions under the centre’s internal regulations, accessible via the official [INEFC website](http://inefc.gencat.cat/es/inefc-pirineus/index.html).

Primary sources: inefc.gencat.cat. Reported by segre.com, Regió 7.