Andorra Minister Urges Festival Alcohol Limits After Escaldes Disturbances

Andorra's Interior Minister Ester Molné has called on parish councils to rethink the scale of major festivals, curb alcohol sales ahead of closing times, and strengthen entry controls to prevent public order disturbances.

Her remarks followed serious overnight disturbances at the Escaldes-Engordany festival, which organizers from Unió Pro-Turisme suspended two hours early amid fights, shouting, bottle-throwing, public urination, and noise outside the venue. The incidents, peaking around 3am during a DJ set that drew large crowds of young people, prompted political reactions and reignited debate over security at large events.

Police made two arrests during the unrest. A 23-year-old man from La Seu d'Urgell faced detention after an 18-year-old woman reported feeling a needle prick, triggering chemical submission protocols. She received hospital checks, but no compatible wound was found, and no sharp object was recovered from the suspect. He remains in custody for breaching two prior expulsion orders, with toxicology results pending. Unió Pro-Turisme sources attributed her symptoms to a recent vaccination reaction worsened by alcohol, causing dizziness.

Separately, officers arrested a 42-year-old local resident for brandishing a six-centimetre knife blade in an altercation. Molné stressed no stabbings or mass brawl occurred, describing the cases as isolated and praising the police response.

Molné highlighted risks from late-night crowds and heavy drinking, noting overall public safety incidents have declined despite rising festival attendance. She endorsed the Health Ministry's advice to halt alcohol service early and urged parishes to limit overcrowding and screen entrants for weapons. "These major festivals must be reorganised and scaled back," she said. Parish authorities, not the government, bear organizational responsibility, she added.

Escaldes-Engordany's senior councillor, Rosa Gili, called for faster rollout of body cameras for officers. Private security sources defended their 10-person deployment across venue entrances, parking, stage, and bar areas as adequate, though they acknowledged limitations like unauthorized access. Molné confirmed sustained reinforced police units, including order maintenance teams and traffic coordination, following recent Encamp incidents.

The minister noted incidents are not new but acknowledged rising crowds and alcohol use may heighten risks. Investigations continue, with no final conclusions on the needle report. An independent surveillance commission will soon review body camera applications.