Backpack Explosion Kills Police Officer, Injures Another In Northern Spain

10th November, 2026 | News

Spanish Police Officer Killed and Another Injured in Oviedo Backpack Explosion

A Spanish police officer and his service dog were killed, and another officer was seriously injured, after a suspicious backpack detonated during an inspection in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo.

The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday morning in the Villafria neighbourhood, where law enforcement officers had responded to reports of a violent dispute between two local families. The initial emergency call followed an incident in which a young woman was shot and wounded.

While investigating the scene, officers discovered a suspicious backpack at a building’s entrance. Members of Spain’s Special Canine Unit and elite TEDAX bomb disposal specialists intervened to examine and move the device, which detonated unexpectedly.

Casualties and Official Tributes

The explosion resulted in the death of a police dog handler identified as Juan José, alongside his service dog. A second officer sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

Spanish police took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their profound grief, writing:

“Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.”

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and police unions such as JUPOL also shared messages of shock, condemning the violence and offering condolences to the victims’ families.

Ongoing Investigation

Local authorities have cordoned off the area around Rafael Urrusti Street as forensic teams and investigators work to determine the exact nature of the explosive device and track down those responsible. According to local reports, police have detained one suspect’s wife while a manhunt continues for the primary suspect linked to the initial family confrontation.