Explosion Reported at 3 AM
The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police force, are investigating a suspected explosive device after an ATM was blown open in the Sants neighbourhood of Barcelona in the early hours of Monday, 14 September 2026. Emergency services were alerted at approximately 3:00 AM following reports of a loud explosion from residents. The incident occurred at the junction of Riera d'Escuder and the N-340 highway, according to police sources. The area was cordoned off as forensic officers and TEDAX bomb disposal units arrived on site. No injuries have been reported.
Door-to-Door Inquiries Underway
Local residents told Metrópoli that officers from both the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Guàrdia Urbana (Barcelona’s municipal police) visited nearby homes, asking if anyone had witnessed suspicious activity before the blast. One resident said: "After the explosion, things started falling to the ground. Everyone came out to see what had happened." The ATM has been completely destroyed, and businesses in the area confirmed the scene remained sealed off until at least mid-morning.
Commissariat Leading Investigation
The Mossos d'Esquadra Commissariat for Sants-Montjuïc, located on Carrer d'Ulldecona, is leading the investigation, which remains open. Authorities are working to determine whether this was a targeted robbery attempt using explosives.
The police have not confirmed whether any money was taken from the damaged ATM.
Pattern of ATM Attacks in Region
This incident follows a series of previous cases in the Barcelona area involving explosive devices used to breach ATMs or bank premises, including robberies on Balmes Street and in nearby Sant Boi, as reported by Crónica Global and Metrópoli in 2022. The Catalan police have previously warned of organised groups using such methods and have increased preventive patrols in recent years under antiterrorist and public order initiatives. Residents in Sants are advised to report any suspicious activity to the Mossos d'Esquadra via their official channels at mossos.gencat.cat.
Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, govern.cat, Dep. Interior Generalitat Catalunya. Reported by barna.news, beteve.cat, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, ACN, elcaso.elnacional.cat, metropoliabierta.cat, catalannews.com.
