• Costa Calida
• Virtual EWN

By Helena EWN • Published: 05 Nov 2026 • 10:00 • 1 minute read

People attending Murcia’s Ciudad de Justicia faced an alarming scene on Wednesday afternoon when a man climbed onto the roof and threatened to jump, triggering a major emergency response that lasted several hours. Firefighters, police officers and emergency crews were called to the complex as the man remained on the roof, with an inflatable safety cushion positioned below in case he fell.

He eventually gave up, bringing the tense incident to an end without a reported fall. But this was not simply an incident involving a man on a rooftop. He displayed a banner on the building’s façade setting out complaints about the family courts, including demands for more staff and resources, better protection for families and children, and less pressure on the courts.

Police negotiators spent hours trying to persuade him to come down

The incident began at around 02:00pm, when the man climbed onto the roof of one of the two buildings making up the judicial complex. Two police negotiators were sent to speak to him, while officers from the Policía Nacional and Policia local secured the area. Firefighters brought four vehicles and 15 personnel to the scene, placing a large inflatable safety cushion below the roof to reduce the risk of serious injury if he fell. Medical teams were also sent to the complex.

The situation was particularly concerning because of the condition of the roof. Reports from the scene indicated that the material beneath the man was fragile, with part of the covering having fallen previously. This added another danger for emergency crews trying to manage the situation safely. The emergency operation continued for several hours. According to reports, the negotiations lasted around three hours before the man finally came down.

Banner highlighted complaints about family courts

While on the roof, the man displayed a large banner across the building’s main façade. Its messages focused on what he described as problems within the family court system. He called for more material and personnel resources, greater protection for families and children, and action to reduce the backlog in family courts.

Other reports from the scene also referred to messages about parental alienation, specialised resources for family proceedings and concerns about mental health. These were demands displayed during the protest, rather than findings or conclusions made by the courts.

The demonstration brought attention to the pressure on family courts, where disputes involving children, parental arrangements and family circumstances can leave those involved waiting for decisions. However, the authorities have not confirmed the precise personal circumstances behind the man’s protest. Early reports suggested it may have been connected to a family legal matter, but that has not been established officially.

Man taken to hospital after coming down

The man eventually abandoned his threat and left the roof, bringing the emergency operation to an end. According to reports, he was taken to the Morales Meseguer Hospital in Murcia for a medical assessment after coming down. Police sources told the agency that he had not been arrested and that no action would be taken against him at that stage.

The Tribunal Superior de Justicia de la Región de Murcia confirmed that he had abandoned his intention to jump. Staff at the judicial complex had cooperated with emergency personnel throughout the incident, following their instructions to protect both the man and people using the buildings.

The operation ended without the man falling from the building. The incident nevertheless left a judicial complex at the centre of a lengthy emergency response, after a protest over family court resources and the treatment of families brought police, firefighters and medical teams to its roof.

Cartagena is preparing for a new celebration of contemporary art, live music and food, with the first edition of the Luzzy Market taking place on Sunday, November 7. The free event will transform the Ramón Alonso Luzzy Cultural Centre into a meeting place for artists, creatives and visitors looking to discover something different, share their talents and bring culture and art to the major Costa Calida hub city. 

20 creative projects showcase contemporary art

Organised by Cartagena City Council’s Department of Culture, the market will bring together 20 artistic projects under the slogan ‘Art to Take Home‘. Visitors can browse a variety of original creations, including paintings, illustrations, photography, independent fashion, ceramics, contemporary jewellery and designer pieces.

When to see the vibrant first edition of the Luzzy Market

Running from 10:00am to 2:30pm and again from 4:30pm to 8:00pm, the market will give visitors the opportunity to meet talented local creators, discover unique pieces and purchase original artwork directly from the artists, supporting their work. The participating projects were selected according to artistic quality, originality and authorship, making these outstanding contemporary art pieces more accessible to the public while encouraging collecting and giving independent artists greater visibility.

Free jazz concerts bring music to the gardens

Music will also play a central role, with two free concerts scheduled in the cultural centre’s garden as part of the 45th Cartagena Jazz Festival. The programme begins at 11:30am with Mood Swing, a quartet performing swing, boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues. They will be followed by Gata Brass Band, an Almeria-based group combining funk and New Orleans brass band sounds with Latin, rock and electronic influences.

Food trucks add flavour to the festivities and open mic invites local performers to participate

Food trucks La Bodeguilla de Tete and La Callejera will also be serving food and drinks throughout the day. The afternoon programme will include an open mic organised in collaboration with Colectivo Moltissim, running from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Music, poetry, comedy and other artistic performances will be welcome, with interested participants able to register through moltissim.es.

With free admission and activities throughout the day, the inaugural Luzzy Market offers residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy Cartagena’s creative scene while supporting independent artists.