The Ministry of Health of Catalonia reported about 38 injured as a result of clashes with police in a referendum on independence.

"Emergency services provided assistance to 38 people injured in the clashes with the Spanish police, 35 of them were slightly injured, and three of them were of medium severity," the ministry said in a Twitter microblog statement.

It is reported that nine victims were taken to hospitals, they have bruises, dizziness and panic.

At 09.00 local time (at 10.00 Moscow time) in Catalonia, a vote began in a referendum on independence, which the Spanish government does not recognize and whose conduct is blocked by the Constitutional Court of the country. The police said that it managed to take control of most of the 2315 polling stations where voting should take place. In several areas, documents are being seized, clashes between police and people come to vote. There are reports of victims. The Government of Catalonia claims that more than 70% of polling stations have been opened, it does not comment on the wounded.