Francisco García, a 53-year-old National Police officer and specialized explosives technician, is in serious but stable condition following an explosion in the Villafría neighborhood of Oviedo on Tuesday, elcomercio.es reported.
The blast occurred on Rafael Urrusti Street while officers were securing the area around a suspicious backpack discovered in the landing of a social housing building. The explosion killed a sub-inspector and a police dog named Deny, telecinco.es reported.
García is currently receiving treatment at the HUCA hospital. Although his injuries are severe, his colleagues have stated that he remains stable, telecinco.es reported.
Medical teams are reportedly focusing on surgical procedures to preserve his limbs, which were impacted by bomb shrapnel, according to telecinco.es. While doctors have expressed hope for his recovery, there remains a significant risk of infection, telecinco.es reported.
Before paramedics arrived, a fellow officer with tactical medical training applied several tourniquets to García to control bleeding, elcomercio.es reported.
García is a member of the Tedax unit, the specialized division responsible for the deactivation of explosive devices. His career includes experience working in the Basque Country during the ETA era, where he participated in bomb disposal operations, elcomercio.es reported.
Beyond his police work, García is a well-known figure in the Gijón community as a basketball coach. He trains the Benjamin and Alevín categories at the La Inmaculada school in Gijón, elcomercio.es reported.
The Jupol police union expressed “profound pain and consternation” regarding the death of the sub-inspector, describing the loss as “irreparable,” telecinco.es reported.
Authorities are investigating an altercation between neighbors that preceded the explosion. The suspected perpetrator, identified as Manuel, a 64-year-old man with an extensive criminal record, reportedly triggered a shooting and left the backpack containing explosives, telecinco.es reported.
Police files show the suspect has been documented since 2010 for offenses including assault, coercion, property damage, threats, and theft, with the most recent incident occurring this year, telecinco.es reported.
While the suspect’s wife has been detained and provided a location, Manuel has not yet been found, telecinco.es reported.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Villafría neighborhood, Oviedo, Spain |
| Injured Officer | Francisco García (53, Tedax technician) |
| Fatalities | One sub-inspector and one police dog (Deny) |
| Hospital | HUCA |
Police continue to search for the suspect and the specific mechanics of the explosive device.
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