Oviedo explosion kills canine unit officer and dog, police say

A police officer and his dog were killed and a bomb disposal officer was seriously injured Tuesday when a backpack exploded in Oviedo, northern Spain, police said. Officers were carrying it away from the building where a shooting had injured a woman. This is a developing story and will be updated.

"While the package was being moved outside to ensure the safety of the residents, an explosion occurred," police spokesman Pedro Aguado said.

The officer who died was Juan José, a subinspector with the National Police's Special Canine Guide Unit. His dog, Deny, a three-year-old German shepherd, died in the explosion as well.

The injured officer serves with TEDAX, the National Police explosives disposal unit. Police union JUPOL said he had emergency surgery at the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, where a leg was amputated. Deutsche Welle reported that surgeons were trying to save his leg.

Police had responded to a dispute between neighbours in the Villafría neighbourhood, near Rafael Urrusti Street. Local authorities said two families were involved in the violence. They said a man shot and wounded a young woman at about 7:30am amid the dispute. Police said the woman was no longer in danger after being taken to the same hospital.

Aguado said officers searching for the suspected attacker found a suspicious backpack by the entrance to the building. They called in explosives specialists and dog handlers. The backpack had a flashing light, BBC News reported.

According to JUPOL, the blast happened at about 8:30am while officers were carrying the device away for defusing. Regional broadcaster TPA Noticias cited eyewitnesses who placed it at around 08:45.

Amplio despliegue policial en el barrio ovetense de Villafría tras una explosión cuya causa se desconoce. Según testigos presenciales, un paquete ha explotado en la calle Rafael Urrusti. La explosión tuvo lugar en torno a las 08:45 horas, pero según algunos vecinos, una hora

— TPA Noticias (@TPAnoticias) November 10, 2026

Police said the suspect had escaped and had not been found. National Police cordoned off the area and mounted a large operation to find him.

Deutsche Welle, citing the Spanish newspaper El País, reported that the suspect is a 64-year-old Spanish national whose wife has been detained in the investigation.

The motive for the shooting is unclear. How the device detonated was also unknown.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X that he was "deeply shocked by the death of a National Police officer in Oviedo." He sent strength to the injured officer and wrote, "Your dedication and courage deserve the gratitude of an entire country."

Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, president of the People's Party, expressed sympathy for the dead officer's family and hoped the injured officer would recover. "What happened in Oviedo is heartbreaking," Feijóo said.

The National Police paid tribute to Juan José on X and hoped for the injured officer's swift recovery. "Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones," the force said.

The Guardia Civil said it was "deeply saddened by the death in the line of duty of Juan José." JUPOL expressed "deep sorrow and dismay," while the Military Emergencies Unit, part of Spain's armed forces, sent condolences.

Oviedo Mayor Alfredo Canteli was heading to the scene Tuesday to gather information about what happened.