San Sebastian police storm beach as 'man wielding two machetes threatens tourists'
POLICE stormed a beach at a Spanish tourist hotspot popular with Brits after sunbathers said they were confronted by a man wielding two machetes, causing panic in the area.
Man arrested in Spain for threatening people with machetes
Tourists called the authorities after saying they were being threatened by a blade-wielding man at La Concha beach in San Sebastian.
Dramatic footage showed police bringing a man to the ground and then lumbering on top of him on the golden sands.
He appeared to still be holding the long blades in his hands.
Terrified witness Iker Ibáñez told El Pais: “A man carried in his hands two machetes of huge length, with which he was threatening people.
"You never expect to find yourself in such a situation and you do not know how to react.
“A thousand things crossed my mind, but I did not think of running away.
"People were very scared - it was like scenes that we're only used to seeing on television.”
Police confirmed they had been called to the popular beach at around 8.30pm on Thursday.
They said there had been reports from passers-by that a man was threatening people with two machetes.
A patrol was sent to the scene.
Basque Police said a 24-year-old man was arrested.
They said he was carrying two machetes and a pair of mobile phones which may have been stolen.
He was taken by police to a local station to face questioning.
The Regional Security Department said he was known to authorities.
The incident is not thought to be terror-related but comes at a time of high alert in Spain.
La Concha is the most visited beach in San Sebastian and was packed with people for the Easter holidays.
Standingright in the centre of the bay, visitors flock to its 1,500 metres of white sand and seawater.
It is regularly voted one of the best beaches in all of Europe.