A Spanish police officer has been killed and another seriously injured after an explosive device concealed in a backpack detonated as officers examined it in Oviedo, northern Spain, on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
The explosion occurred in the Villafría neighbourhood after police responded to an earlier shooting that left a young woman injured.
Officers subsequently discovered a suspicious backpack containing an explosive device at the entrance of a residential building.
The officers were examining the bag when it detonated, killing one officer and seriously injuring his colleague. The deceased officer has been identified as Juan José, a member of Spain’s National Police canine unit.
Spain’s National Police confirmed his death in a statement shared on X, paying tribute to the officer and expressing condolences to his relatives and colleagues.
“Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones,” the police service said.
The second officer belonged to TEDAX, the National Police’s specialist explosives disposal unit responsible for dealing with explosive devices. He sustained serious injuries in the blast.
The incident followed a shooting reported in the same neighbourhood at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time, during which a young woman was wounded by gunfire. She was rushed to hospital for treatment, with local authorities indicating that her condition was not life-threatening.
The shooting was linked to a violent dispute between two families in the area. A spokesperson for the local council confirmed that the woman was no longer in danger but did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
The subsequent discovery of the backpack prompted the deployment of specialist police personnel to assess the suspicious object. However, the device exploded before the officers could complete their intervention.
The explosion triggered a major emergency response, with National Police officers, local police and firefighters deployed to the scene.
Authorities cordoned off the affected area and restricted access as emergency teams attended to the casualties and secured the location.
Oviedo Mayor Alfredo Canteli was also expected to visit the scene to receive information about the incident as authorities worked to establish what had happened.
Police have launched investigations into both the shooting and the explosion, with the circumstances surrounding the placement of the explosive device and its connection to the earlier confrontation still being examined.
