Agents of the National Police in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, have arrested a 24-year-old young man, who has a police record related to conduct of a similar nature, as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of possession and deposit of explosive substances or devices and a minor offense of assault, after throwing homemade explosive devices from the window of his home during the celebration of the 2026 Carnival.
The events occurred around 10:30 PM on February 14, when officers from the Prevention and Reaction Unit (UPR), who were on duty within the special security operation for Carnival, were commissioned by the operational room CIMACC 091 to a street adjacent to Santa Catalina Park where, according to several calls received, a person was throwing explosive devices from a window into the public street.
Upon their arrival, the agents verified that the street, closed to vehicular traffic due to the festive celebration and with a high concentration of pedestrians, showed remains of plastic containers and aluminum foil with clear signs of explosion.
As a consequence of one of the explosions, a pedestrian was affected by the detonation and by the projection of an unidentified liquid, and had to be assisted by health services. Given the large influx of people in the area, the officers proceeded to the preventive closure of the street until the complete neutralization of the situation, thus avoiding possible greater damage.
Several witnesses stated that the objects had been thrown from a dwelling located on the sixth floor of the building, these being plastic bottles that exploded upon impact with the ground, endangering the safety of pedestrians.
The agents quickly accessed the building and located the dwelling from which the devices were allegedly being thrown, where the resident was arrested, after admitting to being the perpetrator of the acts, and stating that he acted moved by his discomfort with the noise generated by the music in the public street during the celebrations.
Likewise, the Provincial Brigade of Scientific Police in coordination with the Technical Specialist Unit for the Deactivation of Explosive Devices (TEDAX-NRBQ), carried out a search at the detainee's home, where various materials and effects were seized presumably used for the elaboration of the devices, which have been sent for technical study and analysis.
It should be noted that, according to investigations, this would not be an isolated incident, as similar incidents had occurred on previous dates, which had generated notable social alarm among neighbors and attendees of the festive events.
The National Police maintains the security device active due to the Carnivals and recalls the importance of immediately communicating any conduct that may endanger the integrity of people.
