A Spanish police officer was killed and another lost a leg when a booby-trapped backpack exploded in Oviedo after a shooting that wounded a 17-year-old girl
A Spanish National Police officer was killed and another lost a leg on Tuesday when a booby-trapped backpack exploded in the Villafría neighbourhood of Oviedo, northern Spain, while officers responded to a shooting.
Officers arrived early in the morning after reports of gunfire linked to a dispute between neighbours or families on Calle Rafael Urrusti.
They found a 17-year-old girl who had been shot and was taken to hospital, where she is no longer in danger according to local authorities.
While searching the area, police discovered a partially open backpack with a flashing light at the entrance of a residential building.
The canine unit and the TEDAX bomb disposal specialists were called to the scene.
To protect residents, officers moved the backpack outside the building.
It detonated while being examined, killing a junior inspector from the canine unit and seriously injuring a TEDAX officer who required amputation of a leg.
The injured officer was taken to the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias in a critical condition.
The police union Jupol confirmed the identities of the units involved and the nature of the injuries.
Spanish police paid tribute to the dead officer, named in statements as Juan José, saying their hearts were with his family, friends and colleagues.
The suspect, who fled the scene and is described as armed and highly dangerous, remains at large.
Authorities have mounted a large-scale search, with some reports linking him to a prior criminal record for theft and suggesting the device was a homemade explosive.
Police spokesman Pedro Aguado said the explosion occurred as the package was being moved outside to ensure the safety of residents.
The incident is being treated as a criminal matter rather than terrorism, with investigators examining the connection between the shooting and the explosive device.
