A tragic incident occurred at a care home near Zaragoza in north-eastern Spain, resulting in the death of at least 10 people and injuries to others. The fire broke out early on Friday morning in the town of Villafranca de Ebro, where 82 people were residing at the time. The care home, which was originally established as a retirement home 16 years ago, had shifted its focus to providing specialized care for residents with dementia and mental health issues.
Emergency services were notified about the fire around 05:00 (04:00 GMT) on Friday, and firefighters managed to extinguish the flames. The exact ages of the deceased individuals have not been disclosed yet. Two individuals were hospitalized following the incident, with one person in critical condition, as confirmed by the mayor of Villafranca de Ebro.
According to reports, the tragedy may have been triggered by a mattress catching fire in one of the rooms. Witnesses noted that the building sustained minimal fire damage, and the high number of fatalities was likely due to smoke inhalation. The mayor described the challenging conditions faced by rescuers due to heavy smoke.
Government officials, including the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, expressed their condolences and pledged to support the victims and their families. The Spanish government’s delegate in the Aragón region emphasized the importance of monitoring the hospitalized individuals and investigating the cause of the fire to prevent future incidents.
This unfortunate event brings back memories of a similar tragedy that occurred nine years ago, claiming the lives of nine individuals at another retirement home in the Zaragoza area. The community is once again mourning the loss of lives and grappling with the aftermath of the fire.
If you have been impacted by the issues raised in this story, please reach out for support and assistance. Let us come together to offer comfort and aid to those affected by this devastating incident.