Trade unions in Catalonia announced a general strike after Sunday's referendum on independence in the region, accompanied by massive clashes between voters and the police.

Protesters block the main roads in Catalonia. At least 24 places are reported in different parts of Catalonia, where roads are blocked. All this caused traffic jams.

Trade unions reported that the work of the sea port of Barcelona. City airport while operating in normal mode. Also working are the Barcelona Taxi.

As stated in the trade union statement, the decision to strike was made in connection with a flagrant violation of rights and violation of freedoms during the voting on Sunday.

Meanwhile, at the University Square in Barcelona, ??gathered thousands of Catalans, protesting against Madrid's actions to suppress the will of the inhabitants of the autonomy.

Official Madrid announced earlier holding of the referendum unconstitutional. However, in spite of the fact that it was declared illegal by the constitutional court of the country, about 2.2 million people took part.

During the referendum in Catalonia, there were clashes between the police and the referendum participants on the independence of Catalonia. Hundreds of people were injured during the riots.

Some of the guards of order, who were ordered not to allow a vote, opened fire with rubber bullets. According to the authorities of Catalonia, during the clashes 33 officers were injured.

As expected, in connection with the strike on Tuesday in Catalonia will not operate public transport, schools and hospitals will be closed.

Football players, "Barcelona" is reported to also join the strike, although on October 3, they have in the schedule there are no matches. Also participating in the strike will be staff of universities and museums.

In the meantime, political leaders are trying to find a way out of this situation. The head of the government of Catalonia Carles Puicdemont said the need for a new agreement with Madrid on the status of the region, but the government of Spain, headed by Mariano Rajo, announced the possible deprivation of Catalonia autonomy.

Representatives of the Catalan authorities say that almost 90% of residents who voted in the referendum voted for independence of the region. However, the turnout was lower than expected - only 42%, which weakens Puchdemon's position in possible negotiations with Madrid on the status of Catalonia.

Chaos and clashes that accompanied the vote, also do not contribute to the strengthening of the position of the supporters of Catalan independence.

Mariano Rajoy called the vote a betrayal of democracy. According to him, the Catalans were fooled, calling on them to take part in the illegal voting.

On Monday evening, Rahoy held talks with the leader of the opposition Socialist Party Pedro Sanchez and the head of the centrist Civic Party, Albert Rivera.

The head of socialists urged the Prime Minister to immediately hold talks with Carles Puigdemona, while Rivera, on the contrary, noted that Madrid should temporarily deprive Catalonia of its autonomous status.

Carlos Puicdemon called on the international community to help negotiate with Madrid.

However, the European Commission called Catalonia's political crisis an internal affair of Spain, noting that the referendum on independence was illegal. The European Commission urged the Spanish authorities to dialogue with the supporters of the independence of Catalonia.