Key Highlights
- Incident:A bomb explosion in Oviedo, Spain, killed a police officer and injured another.
- Response:Officers were responding to a family dispute when the explosion occurred.
- Manhunt:Authorities are searching for the suspect believed to be armed and dangerous.
OVIEDO, Spain — A tranquil morning in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo turned into a scene of devastation on Tuesday when a booby-trapped backpack exploded outside a residential flat, killing a National Police officer and leaving another critically injured. The incident also claimed the life of a police service dog.
The tragic chain of events began early in the morning on Rafael Urrusti Street in the Villafría district, where emergency services were called to a violent family dispute. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a young woman had suffered a gunshot wound. Although her injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening, responding units found a suspicious backpack left outside the flat's entrance by the fleeing suspect.
Recognizing the immediate risk to residents inside the building, officers called in specialized units. Specialist officers from the National Police's canine unit and TEDAX (Bomb Disposal) arrived to secure the scene. Demonstrating immense courage, the team began carefully transferring the bag outside into the street to prevent structural collapse or mass civilian casualties if an explosion occurred.
Shortly after 8:30 a.m., as the officers attempted to defuse and move the bag, the device detonated unexpectedly. The blast claimed the life of an officer from the canine unit, identified as Juan José, along with a police service dog. A bomb disposal specialist who was handling the device sustained catastrophic injuries, resulting in the surgical amputation of one of his legs. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.
“They carried the device away from innocent civilians, knowing the extreme danger,” said a representative from police union JUPOL in a statement expressing grief over the incident. Government officials and local authorities, including Spanish government spokesperson Elma Saiz and Oviedo Mayor Alfredo Canteli, expressed deep condolences to the fallen officer’s family and called for swift recovery for the injured officer.
A massive manhunt is underway across the region as law enforcement agencies—including the Guardia Civil and National Police—cordon off the neighborhood. The suspected gunman, who fled in a vehicle shortly before the blast, is believed to be armed and dangerous. Investigators are working to determine the origin of the homemade explosives as security forces track down the fugitive.
The incident has raised concerns about public safety and the increasing risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. As the investigation continues, the community of Oviedo mourns the loss of a dedicated officer who paid the ultimate price while serving and protecting the public.
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