Police Officer Killed, Another Seriously Injured in Backpack Explosion in Oviedo, Spain

A Spanish National Police officer was killed and another officer was seriously injured on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in an explosion in Oviedo, in northern Spain. The officers were responding to a neighbourhood dispute between two families that had turned violent, Reuters reported. The blast happened in the Villafria neighbourhood while officers were inspecting a suspicious backpack.

The incident began at about 07:30 local time, when a young woman was shot and injured by a man, Reuters reported. A spokesperson for the local council told Reuters that she was no longer in danger. Cadena SER reported that the woman was 17 years old, that she came from one of the two feuding families, and that she was taken to hospital after she was wounded by the bullet. El Pais also reported that events began at about 07:30 local time and that her condition was not serious.

Backpack explodes as specialists approach

Patrols later found a suspicious backpack left in the entrance hall of a social housing block, Cadena SER reported. The backpack was found around Calle Rafael Urrusti and Calle Purita de la Riva in Villafria. Officers called in the explosives and dog units. At about 08:40 to 08:45 local time, the device detonated as the specialists approached the package at the building entrance, El Pais and Cadena SER reported.

The two officers caught in the blast were a TEDAX explosives specialist and a canine guide officer, El Pais confirmed. Spain's National Police said the dead officer was its colleague Juan Jose, of the Special Canine Unit, who died during the inspection of the suspicious backpack in Asturias, in a statement quoted by The Sun. The injured TEDAX officer was seriously hurt. El Mundo reported that he suffered the amputation of a leg, according to a report carried by Heraldo de Leon.

Police statement and the search for the suspect

In its statement, the National Police said: "Saddened by the death of our colleague Juan Jose, from the Special Canine Unit, during the inspection of a suspicious backpack in Asturias." The force added: "Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones."

The alleged shooter remained on the run after the explosion, and police were searching for him, Emergencias Asturias reported. The National Police deployed a large operation in the area, which was cordoned off, El Pais reported. Municipal sources told Efe that Oviedo mayor Alfredo Canteli was travelling to the scene.

What investigators still need to establish

Investigators are assessing whether the device was activated by a timer, a movement trap or remotely, Cadena SER reported. El Pais reported that the explosive device detonated at about 08:40 local time and was presumably set off by a man. No arrest had been reported in the latest accounts available when this article was written, and the search in Villafria was continuing.