Three hospitalized after car crashes into fans at Barcelona-Espanyol soccer match in terrifying scene

A scene of chaos erupted after a car barreled into a crowd of people outside a LaLiga match at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium before Thursday’s showdown between Barcelona and Espanyol. 

Three people were hospitalized and 11 others suffered minor injuries after a white sedan reportedly panicked after being surrounded by Espanyol supporters and accelerated into fans, striking roughly 20. 

Catalan police said they had arrested a woman in connection with the incident, and authorities described the situation as “under control,” The Athletic reported. 

Video posted to social media showed the terrifying scene that occurred outside the stadium, with conflicting reports indicating how the whole thing started. 

TMZ reported that the driver had accidentally struck a young girl, which then set off the crowd to throw objects at the car, busting the back window. 

ESPN indicated that the car had become wedged between two containers and some fans began hurling objects at the car. 

The driver appeared to panic and hit the accelerator, driving into scores of people, with the video showing people being tossed to the side as the car moved through the crowd, while others got stuck on the hood. 

Videos of the aftermath show an equally dramatic scene as police tried to gain control of the scene. 

Officers in riot gear could be seen pushing angry supporters back from the car, which had come to a stop near a metal fence, while some hurled more objects in the direction of the vehicle and police. 

In one frame, a woman is helped away from the chaos by a male fan and could be seen with blood on her face. 

It appeared that authorities had a person in handcuffs pushed up against the car. 

The driver was between 45 and 55 years old, according to TMZ. 

“It was an accident, some people were injured, but not seriously. There are no major incidents to report,” Salvador Illa, the president of the Government of Catalonia, told Spanish TV channel Movistar Plus. 

Thursday’s match was halted for eight minutes over the situation before play restarted in the 10th minute. 

The stadium crowd was alerted that the situation had been under control and that there were no serious injuries. 

Barcelona defeated Espanyol to capture the LaLiga title.