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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Lili Bayer

Spain tower block fire: Death toll rises to five as search for missing continues – as it happened

Valencia Spain Europe

Summary of the day

  • 5 people died and up to 15 are missing in a fire that broke out yesterday at a large residential complex in Valencia, Spain.

  • 4 of the victims were members of the same family – two adults and two children – according to local media.

  • Emergency services are still working to locate those residents who are missing.

  • Questions are being asked in Spain about materials used in the construction of the building.

  • Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, visited Valencia today, saying the government is there to help and show the solidarity of Spanish society.

  • Local authorities have announced financial assistance for impacted families.

  • The president of the European parliament and the president of the European Council also expressed their solidarity.

Debris falls on firefighters as they work at a burned block building in Valencia.
Debris falls on firefighters as they work at a burned block building in Valencia. Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

Death toll rises to 5

The death toll in the fire in a residential complex in Valencia has risen to 5, El País reports citing local authorities.

Firefighters inspect the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block in Valencia.
Firefighters inspect the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block in Valencia. Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

Families affected by the fire in Valencia will be receiving financial assistance, according to Spanish authorities.

Here’s the latest from Spain’s emergency services:

4 people have been discharged from hospital.

Here are more images from Valencia today.

Pedro Sánchez in Valencia.
Pedro Sánchez in Valencia. Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP
People look at an apartment building where a fire occurred, in Valencia, Spain.
People look at an apartment building where a fire occurred, in Valencia, Spain. Photograph: Reuters

“The work of firefighters inside the building focuses on locating victims, guaranteeing the safety of those involved at all times,” Spain’s emergency services said.

'We are here to help,' Spain's Sánchez says in Valencia

Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, has spoken in Valencia, expressing his solidarity.

On behalf of the Government I want to convey our solidarity, affection and empathy to the families of the victims.

I want to thank the public servants for their outstanding work, even risking their lives.

We are here to help you, to show our commitment and the solidarity of Spanish society as a whole.

Updated

A discussion is ongoing in Spain about the construction of the residential complex that caught fire – and in particular about whether the façade contained a material which could be flammable.

Fire at a residential complex in Valencia yesterday.
Fire at a residential complex in Valencia yesterday. Photograph: Jm Fernandez/GTRES/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

El País reports that the residential complex that caught fire in Valencia was completed in 2008, by a company that went bankrupt two years later.

The complex, which had a total of 138 apartments of 1-3 bedrooms, was made up of two buildings: one with 10 floors and one with 14 floors, joined by an elevator.

Roberta Metsola, the president of the European parliament, has expressed her solidarity with those affected by the fire in Valencia.

Valencia is holding three days of mourning following a fire in a residential building where at least 4 people died.

A spokesperson for the Spanish government said the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, will be visiting Valencia today to “learn first-hand the details of the tragic fire that affected two buildings in the Campanar neighbourhood.”

The prime minister will visit the area at 11:45am local time together with local officials and will later address the press.

A devastating fire burns a 14-story building in Valencia.
A devastating fire burns a 14-story building in Valencia. Photograph: Jm Fernandez/GTRES/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

Sánchez to visit Valencia today

Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, is travelling to Valencia this morning, El País reports.

A large number of emergency crews are still working at the scene of the fire in Valencia.

Esther Punchades, from insurance inspection agency APCAS, told state broadcaster TVE a lack of firewalls and the use of the plastic material polyurethane on the facade of the building that caught fire would have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze, Reuters reported.

Here are the latest images from Valencia, where at least 4 people died in a fire in an apartment building.

Firetrucks are parked next to the multistorey residential block ravaged by a huge fire that yesterday killed at least four people in Valencia.
Firetrucks are parked next to the multistorey residential block ravaged by a huge fire that yesterday killed at least four people in Valencia. Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty Images
Picture shows the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block.
Picture shows the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block. Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

Here’s the latest update from local authorities:

  • 4 people are confirmed dead.

  • Between 9 and 15 people still not located.

  • 15 people treated for injuries, 7 of them firefighters.

  • 3 days of mourning declared in Valencia

Updated

Between 9 and 15 people still missing in Spain fire

María José Catalá, the mayor of Valencia, has said that there are between 9 and 15 people who have yet to be located, Reuters reported.

At least 4 people died when a fire broke out in a 14-storey residential building.

Picture shows the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block killing at least four people in Valencia.
Picture shows the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block killing at least four people in Valencia. Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

4 dead in apartment building fire in Spain

4 people have died in a fire in Valencia.

The fire began yesterday afternoon and spread in a 14-storey building, local media reported.

Welcome to the blog

Good morning and welcome back to the Europe blog.

Today we will be looking at the latest news out of Spain.

Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.

Updated

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