ع
The explosion killed a veteran subinspector from the canine unit identified as Juan José while the TEDAX bomb disposal expert who lost a leg in the blast remained in serious condition the police union JUPOL said. The device detonated as the two specialists inspected a suspicious backpack found in the entrance hall of a social housing building in the Rafael Urrusti area according to accounts compiled by El Comercio and La Voz de Asturias. Reuters reported that the incident occurred shortly after officers were called to the scene of a neighbourhood dispute that had turned violent earlier that morning.
The confrontation began around 7:30 a.m. when a man shot and wounded a 17-year-old woman during a clash between two families in the same Villafría housing block several Spanish news outlets detailed. The young woman was taken to hospital where a local council spokesperson told Reuters she was no longer in danger. Neighbours contacted emergency services after hearing three gunshots followed by the later blast Cadena SER reported.
Patrol officers who arrived first discovered the abandoned backpack in the building portal and promptly called in the canine unit and TEDAX specialists before the device exploded as the team prepared to examine it according to the union and local media. The blast prompted a major security operation involving national police local forces firefighters and medical teams that sealed off the area. The suspect believed to be both the shooter and the person who left the explosive package remained at large as investigators worked to determine how the device was triggered El Comercio stated.
Spain’s National Police paid tribute to the deceased officer in a statement posted on X. “Our hearts are with his family friends colleagues and loved ones” the force said. JUPOL expressed its deep sorrow and consternation over the loss while noting it was closely following the injured officer’s progress and offering support to his family and the wider police community.
Investigators are considering whether the backpack was fitted with a timer motion sensor or remote trigger linked to the preceding shooting Cadena SER reported. The event has led to a significant manhunt across the northern region of Asturias where Oviedo serves as the capital. Additional resources from specialised units continue to support the inquiry into both the shooting and the subsequent explosion according to updates from regional outlets.
