Police officer killed in explosion in Oviedo, northern Spain

A police officer was killed and another seriously injured in Oviedo, northern Spain, after an explosive device in a backpack detonated while officers were responding to a shooting.

What happened

The blast occurred on Tuesday morning in the Villafria neighborhood after officers received reports of a dispute between neighbours. Upon arriving, police found a woman who had sustained gunshot wounds. She was taken to hospital for treatment.

While searching for the suspected attacker, officers found a suspicious backpack with a flashing light and contacted the bomb disposal unit and canine unit. "While the package was being moved outside to ensure the safety of the residents, an explosion occurred," police spokesman Pedro Aguado said.

The explosion left a member of the canine unit dead and an officer from the bomb disposal unit seriously injured, Aguado added. A three-year-old police dog named Deny was also killed in the explosion.

Investigation and response

The suspect fled the scene and is still at large, police said. A widespread police operation is ongoing near the scene of the explosion and officers are continuing to hunt for the suspect.

Spanish police paid tribute to the dead officer, who has been named as Juan José, in a statement on X and said: "Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was "deeply shocked" by the fatal incident and paid tribute to the officer injured in the explosion. "Your dedication and courage deserve the gratitude of an entire country," he said.

Spanish opposition leader and President of the People's Party Alberto Núñez Feijóo said: "What happened in Oviedo is heartbreaking."

"My condolences to the family of the officer who died and my best wishes for the recovery of the one who was seriously injured."

Why it matters

The incident marks a rare fatal attack on police in Spain involving an explosive device during a response to a neighbourhood dispute. Authorities have not indicated whether the explosion was terror-related.

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Sources

• yahoo.com: Police officer dies and another injured after backpack explosion in Oviedo
• abcnews.com: Explosive device kills a police officer in northern Spain - ABC News
• dw.com: Spain: Police officer killed in Oviedo explosion

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.