10 Dead, Dozens Injured in Nursing Home Fire in Spain

The alarm was raised just before 5 a.m. on Friday at the facility located in Villafranca de Ebro, approximately 28 kilometers (18 miles) from Zaragoza. Firefighters managed to contain the flames, but the fire had already caused significant damage. Two individuals remain in critical condition, officials said, and several others sustained injuries.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities added.

The nursing home, which housed 82 residents, primarily cared for elderly individuals with dementia and other mental health conditions. Local media reported that the majority of the fatalities were caused by smoke inhalation, rather than burns. "The deaths are due to smoke inhalation," confirmed Volga Ramírez, the mayor of Villafranca de Ebro. "The remaining residents were successfully evacuated and are now being relocated."

Regional officials, including Jorge Azcón, the head of the Aragon government, visited the site and assured the public that an investigation would be launched into the cause of the blaze. Azcón also announced that all scheduled government events in the region were canceled for the day as a mark of respect for the victims.

The fire's intensity, especially the thick smoke, overwhelmed residents of the facility, leaving little time for evacuation. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to contain the flames, which were reportedly concentrated in one room of the building.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock and condolences on social media, writing, "I am deeply saddened by this tragedy and send my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families."

This tragic incident follows shortly after the catastrophic flash floods in the region of Valencia, which claimed over 200 lives and devastated communities. The fire in Villafranca de Ebro is another blow to a country still reeling from recent natural disasters.