The death of an African immigrant led to a violent protest in central Madrid late on Thursday night, leaving at least 20 people injured, emergency services said.

The man, a 35-year old Senegalese street vendor, was trying to escape from a police crackdown, according to witnesses. Spanish agency Europa Press quoted police as saying the man died of cardiorespiratory arrest while running from officers.

Angry protesters burned plastic trash containers and threw stones at riot police, while others broke shops windows and damaged vehicles parked along the narrow streets in the Lavapies neighborhood. The violence continued into the early hours of Friday, witnesses said.

Police said all those arrested were Spanish nationals.

(Source: Reuters)