Around 400 to 1000 people marched silently through central Santander on March 22 demanding accountability for the collapse of a walkway at El Bocal that killed six on March 3. Organized by neighborhood, environmental, and social groups, the protest started at the Government Delegation and ended at City Hall. Participants called for truth, transparency, and prevention of such an avoidable tragedy.
On Sunday, March 22, 2026, between 500 and 1000 people took part in a silent march through central Santander, called by neighborhood, environmental, and social associations. The protest honored the six young victims of the El Bocal walkway collapse on March 3: Lucía San Martín (Camargo, 22), Xabier Bayón (Balmaseda, 21), Celia Lage (Baracaldo, 19), Eunate Hervas (Baracaldo, 19), Lluna Vallejo (Almería, 20), and Elena Sirbu (Guadalajara, 20). Survivor Ainara remains hospitalized, with well-wishes from participants. A minute of silence ended the event at City Hall square, followed by applause. The lead banner read: “Por la verdad y la dignidad de las víctimas del Bocal,” starting at 12:00 from the Government Delegation in Cantabria to City Hall. Spokesperson Carmen Martínez read the manifesto: “Es el momento de reconocer los errores” and “nunca un espacio público puede quedar desatendido ni en tierra de nadie.” She stated the incident “no ha sido un accidente,” demanding to “conocer qué falló, por qué y en qué circunstancias. Exigimos verdad, transparencia y responsabilidad institucional sobre una tragedia evitable.” They urged administrations, “gobierne quien gobierne,” to act with “rapidez, rigor y sentido de la responsabilidad,” heed neighborhood claims, and prevent repeats due to “desidia o negligencia.” Opposition leaders attended, including Daniel Fernández (PSOE), Felipe Piña (PRC), and Keruin Martínez (IU), but not PP, Vox representatives, or the mayor. A judicial investigation is underway: on March 27, a local police officer will testify as investigated for ignoring a 112 alert about the walkway's poor condition a day prior. City Hall and the Ministry of Ecological Transition must provide files on the coastal path's construction, maintenance, and conservation.
