The unions CSIF, UGT, CSIT-UP, CCOO, and CITAM have condemned a brutal attack on two Samur-Protección Civil workers in Madrid's Usera district during New Year's Eve. The paramedics suffered serious injuries while attending to a drunken young woman, and the Municipal Police detained one of the attackers. The unions attribute the incident to a lack of resources and security in the service.
The attack took place in the early hours of December 31 in Madrid's Usera district, when two Samur-Protección Civil paramedics responded to assist a young woman in a state of intoxication. According to the unions, the workers were surrounded by a group that reprimanded them for the delay in response, estimated at sixteen minutes.
As a result of the assault, one paramedic suffered fractures of the nasal bones after a headbutt, severe knee injuries, and multiple contusions after being kicked on the ground. His colleague experienced a concussion and various injuries from blows to the head. The Madrid Municipal Police detained one of the aggressors and identified other participants in the incident.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the unions CSIF, UGT, CSIT-UP, CCOO, and CITAM describe the event as a "savage aggression" and link it to chronic insecurity and a shortage of resources in the municipal service. They emphasize that it is not an isolated incident: a month ago, three workers were threatened with a real firearm during an intervention, and in the last two months, two other serious assaults on Samur staff by people they were assisting have been recorded. Additionally, it is increasingly common for supposed patients to carry bladed weapons.
The union organizations criticize the Madrid City Council's management for its "political negligence," ignoring warnings about staffing shortages and security in street assists, and prioritizing institutional image over workforce protection. They point out that operational bases such as Usera, Puente de Vallecas, and Vicálvaro operate without complete teams, which prolongs response times.
In response to this situation, the unions demand full coverage of all bases and the implementation of protocols for police accompaniment in risk areas. They maintain active mobilizations to demand an urgent reinforcement of the Samur-Protección Civil staff.
