Church of El Pozuelo Vandalized and Set on Fire by Young Man in Albuñol

Image: Jihad Watch

A shocking incident unfolded on Sunday, August 17, in the quiet coastal town of Albuñol, Granada, when a young man, reportedly around 20 years of age and of foreign origin, vandalized and set fire to the Church of El Pozuelo. What began as an ordinary afternoon soon turned into chaos, as the small community faced the devastating attack on one of its most symbolic landmarks.

According to initial reports, the man allegedly forced his way into the church around midday. Armed with a hammer, he first smashed one of the windows to gain entry. Once inside, he is said to have gone on a rampage, breaking furniture and desecrating parts of the sacred space before deliberately setting fire to the interior. The flames quickly spread, threatening to consume the entire church and cause irreparable loss.

The gravity of the situation mobilized the residents of El Pozuelo, who rushed to their church with hoses and buckets of water, desperately trying to contain the fire before professional help arrived. Their courageous actions, combined with the swift intervention of the Civil Guard, prevented further devastation. It was the townspeople themselves, alongside law enforcement officers, who bravely entered the burning church to confront the suspect. Working together, they managed to subdue the young man and secure his arrest despite the immediate danger posed by the spreading flames.

Footage circulating on social media shows the extent of the destruction. Charred walls, broken furnishings, and the remains of sacred objects testify to the violent rampage. The once peaceful interior of the church now bears scars of both deliberate vandalism and fire damage.

Later in the afternoon, María José Sánchez, the mayor of Albuñol, addressed the community with a strong statement condemning the events. Speaking on behalf of the town council, she expressed her “deepest outrage and strongest condemnation” over the attack, which left the church “extremely damaged.” The mayor highlighted that the perpetrator was a newcomer to the town, underscoring the shock and bewilderment of the community in the face of such violence.

At the same time, Sánchez extended heartfelt gratitude to the townspeople, firefighters, and Civil Guard officers whose quick actions helped prevent the church from being completely destroyed. She praised the solidarity shown by residents in the face of crisis, calling it an example of Albuñol’s resilience.

Importantly, the mayor also called for calm and unity in the aftermath of the tragedy. She cautioned against any attempt to exploit the incident to create division or hostility among residents. “Albuñol is a diverse, supportive, and welcoming municipality, where coexistence and respect are fundamental pillars that must not be compromised. An entire community cannot be criminalized for the actions of one person,” she stressed.

For the people of El Pozuelo, Sunday’s attack was not only a material loss but also an emotional wound, as the church is deeply tied to their heritage and spiritual life. However, the solidarity shown in the moment of crisis has also highlighted the community’s strength and determination to protect its identity and values, even in the face of shocking adversity.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)