At least 10 people have tragically lost their lives in a devastating blaze at a nursing home near Zaragoza in northeastern Spain. The fire broke out in Villafranca de Ebro, located approximately 28 kilometers from Zaragoza, with the alarm being raised just before 5 a.m. on Friday. Two individuals are currently in critical condition as a result of the incident, while the cause of the fire remains unknown.
The nursing home, known as Jardines De Villafranca, catered to individuals with dementia and mental health issues, with a total of 82 residents at the facility. Following the fire, authorities are focusing on transferring the remaining uninjured residents to alternative facilities, such as one in the city of Huesca, approximately 90 kilometers away.
Officials have emphasized the importance of investigating the cause of the fire, with the regional government of Aragon pledging to open an inquiry into the tragic incident. The Mayor of Villafranca de Ebro highlighted that the deaths were likely due to smoke inhalation rather than burns, as intense smoke filled the nursing home during the blaze.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one room of the facility, thanks to the presence of a fire door that prevented its spread to other areas. Despite the loss of life, all remaining residents were safely evacuated from the center.
In response to the tragedy, all government events in the Aragon region were canceled for the day, as announced by local authorities. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed shock and offered condolences to the victims of the fire.
This incident comes shortly after the region of Valencia in Spain experienced devastating flash floods that claimed the lives of over 200 individuals and caused extensive damage to thousands of homes. The recent events have highlighted the challenges posed by natural disasters in the country.
