Five Young People Die in Spain Apartment Block Fire
A tragic incident has unfolded in northeast Spain, where five young individuals lost their lives in a fire within a residential apartment block.
Incident Overview
– The fire ignited in a storage area of a five-storey building located in Manlleu, approximately 80 km (50 miles) north of Barcelona.
– Residents alerted emergency services shortly after 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Monday, according to Catalonia’s fire brigade.
– Four additional individuals sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Victims
– The identities of the deceased have not yet been officially confirmed. However, reports suggest they were young individuals, some as young as 14, and none were residents of the building.
– Witnesses indicated that these young people had gathered in the storage room, which is believed to have been converted into a makeshift living space.
– The cause of their inability to escape remains unclear, prompting an investigation by local authorities.
Community Response
– The grandfather of one of the victims shared with La Vanguardia that the youth often met in the storage area, highlighting its role as a social space for them.
– The local authority is offering support to those affected by the tragedy and has declared three days of mourning.
– Catalan President Salvador Illa Roca expressed his shock and extended heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and friends.
A thorough investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and the community continues to grapple with the tragic loss.