'Fight goes on’: 87-yr-old woman dies after becoming symbol of Spain housing crisis
María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis after her eviction, has died in the hospital. Her death has sparked renewed protests against housing costs and eviction practices in Madrid.
Why it matters
The case highlights the human cost of housing instability and has become a rallying point for social justice movements in Spain.
María del Carmen Abascal, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her longtime Madrid home triggered nationwide protests and intensified Spain’s housing crisis, died on Wednesday while in hospital.Widely known as “Maricarmen”, Abascal had lived in the apartment for seven decades before she was evicted on September 23.She was carried out on a stretcher after police cordoned off the street and removed protesters who had gathered to oppose the eviction. She was taken to hospital because of her fragile health.Her death was confirmed by her lawyer Beatriz Duro and housing activists. Duro did not disclose the cause of death when confirming it to Cadena Ser radio.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered his condolences on social media, saying, “All my love to Maricarmen’s family and loved ones. A hug as well to all of us who feel this loss as our own today.
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