**Tensions Rise in Torre Pacheco as Anti-Migrant Riots Erupt**

*Fourteen arrests made amid growing fears for safety among the immigrant community and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric.*

In a troubling escalation of violence, Torre Pacheco, a small town in southern Spain, has experienced several nights of unrest following an attack on a retired man, generating anti-immigrant sentiment. Authorities report that 14 individuals have been arrested in connection to the unrest incited by a widely circulated video on social media. The video, which falsely linked three North Africans to the assault, led to collective fear and aggression among some local residents.

The violence began last Wednesday when the 68-year-old victim, Domingo Tomás Domínguez, was assaulted during his morning walk. Although the motives behind the attack remain unclear, police confirmed that the assailants did not seek to rob him and spoke a language Mr. Domínguez did not understand. The incident spiraled into weeks of unrest where groups, some armed, began to roam the streets, calling for attacks on North African migrants.

In efforts to quell the rising chaos, security measures have intensified; over 130 officers from the local police and Guardia Civil have been deployed. However, confrontations have continued, with reports of damage to local businesses and clashes between groups. The mayor of Torre Pacheco has urged the immigrant community to stay home amid threats and growing violence.

Religious leaders in the town have called for peace as the unrest sparked by extremist groups calling themselves "Deport Them Now" gains momentum, with invitations for "hunts" of immigrants reported on extreme-right social media platforms. The fallout from this incident illustrates the dangers of unchecked anti-immigration rhetoric, with Spain's Interior Minister accusing far-right factions of fueling the violence.

Political responses have varied, with leaders attempting to distance themselves from the unrest, while simultaneously addressing underlying issues of migration and social stability. The prime minister asserted that Spain is a nation of rights, standing against hate, and calling for unity in challenging times. As the community grapples with safety concerns, the incident remains a stark reminder of the precarious balance in societal attitudes towards immigration and integration in contemporary Spain.