Spanish eviction crisis symbol Maria del Carmen Abascal dies at 87

Maria del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her Madrid home became a focus of Spain’s housing crisis, has died, the Madrid Tenants’ Union said.

Known in Spain as Maricarmen, she had lived in the home for more than 70 years before being evicted on September 23. Her rent had risen from €500 to €2,650, according to the union.

She remained in hospital after the eviction. The union said an agreement had been reached that would have allowed her to return home, but that it came too late.

Her eviction prompted protests across Spain over housing costs. The case also preceded Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s decision on Monday to call an early election.