This is the dramatic moment police confront a bare-chested man carrying two samurai swords who caused panic after claiming he was infected with coronavirus and threatening a killing spree.

The violent incident took place at around 1.45pm this afternoon in the Madrid neighbourhood of Moratalaz.

The police vehicles took a battering as the Spaniard smashed their windscreens and bonnets with his two katanas.

He eventually had to be boxed in by police vans before being overpowered by officers on foot after disobeying orders to put down his weapons.

The bare-chested man was spotted at around 1.45pm this afternoon in the Madrid neighbourhood of Moratalaz. Several police vehicles took a battering as the Spaniard smashed their windscreens and bonnets with his two katanas

Police were alerted by paramedics and unconfirmed local reports said the man had fled hospital after falling ill with suspected coronavirus, although health officials could not be reached for comment.

A spokesman for Spain's National Police confirmed: 'Officers have arrested a man this afternoon after he threatened officers with two katanas.

'He is in custody and will face a fine for breaching lockdown orders as well as charges which will include resisting arrest.' Police sources said they suspected he may have fled a city hospital but were still trying to confirm it with health authorities.

Riot squad officers had to be brought in to arrest him and are said to have fired two dissuasive shots into the air before they managed to get him to the ground and cuff him.

Police were alerted by paramedics and unconfirmed local reports said the man had fled hospital after falling ill with suspected coronavirus

He eventually had to be boxed in by police vans before being overpowered by officers on foot after disobeying orders to put down his weapons

Footage showed him shouting before he was held: 'I'm going to kill you all, sons of b**ches.'

Parked cars were hit and damaged by the police vans as they tried to hem in the sword-carrying suspect.

A police union tweeted after the arrest: 'Our full support and recognition for our police colleagues, who have arrested a very aggressive and dangerous individual, who was armed with two katanas, in the Madrid neighbourhood of Moratalaz.

'Well done. With a taser it would have been much easier.'