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.
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.
Families affected by the fire in Valencia will be receiving financial assistance, according to Spanish authorities.
Primeras ayudas fiscales y sociales de la Generalitat para los afectados en el incendio declarado en el edificio residencial del barrio de Campanar. pic.twitter.com/0NdgRsuTPE
— Carlos Mazón (@carlos_mazon_) February 23, 2024
Here’s the latest from Spain’s emergency services:
4 people have been discharged from hospital.
(14:30 h) Actualización heridos incendio Campanar:
— Emergències 112CV (@GVA112) February 23, 2024
➡️De las 6 personas que permanecían ingresadas a primera hora de hoy, en estos momentos ya han sido dadas de alta 4.
➡️Las dos personas ingresadas son dos de los bomberos que fueron asistidos por los servicios sanitarios de…
Here are more images from Valencia today.
“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.
(12:30h) Reunión de coordinación entre las administraciones que intervienen en la emergencia del #IncendioCampanar.
— Emergències 112CV (@GVA112) February 23, 2024
➡️El trabajo de los bomberos en el interior del edificio se centra en localizar víctimas garantizando en todo momento la seguridad de los intervinientes. pic.twitter.com/F3dPc9HBQZ
'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.
En nombre del Gobierno quiero trasladar nuestra solidaridad, cariño y empatía a los familiares de las víctimas.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 23, 2024
Quiero agradecer a los servidores públicos su sobresaliente labor, incluso jugándose la vida.
Estamos aquí para ayudaros, para mostrar nuestro compromiso y la… pic.twitter.com/MqZBnQg4xe
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.
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.
Mi pensamiento y mi solidaridad están con todos los que perdieron la vida y sus hogares en el terrible incendio de Valencia, y también con sus familias.
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) February 23, 2024
Mi reconocimiento a los bomberos por su valentía y continuos esfuerzos.
Europa está con España 🇪🇺🇪🇸
Valencia is holding three days of mourning following a fire in a residential building where at least 4 people died.
La Generalitat decreta tres días de luto oficial por las víctimas del incendio declarado en edificios residenciales en el barrio de Campanar.https://t.co/yosIOeqOqf pic.twitter.com/cMHtgaIMLb
— Carlos Mazón (@carlos_mazon_) February 23, 2024
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.
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.
(10:00h.) Coordinación de medios trabajando en el #IncendioCampanar
— Emergències 112CV (@GVA112) February 23, 2024
🔹22 dotaciones de @bomberosvlc
🔹6 dotaciones @BombersValencia
🔹10 dotaciones @GVAsanitat
🔹6 dotaciones @UMEgob
🔹2 técnicos emergencias y vehículo de comunicaciones @GVAjusticia
🔹Control de accesos… pic.twitter.com/uUYOVAawtY
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.
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
(08:40 h) #IncendioCampanar: La alcaldesa de Valencia @mjosecatala y el presidente @generalitat, @carlos_mazon_ informan de la ÚLTIMA HORA:
— Emergències 112CV (@GVA112) February 23, 2024
➡️Se confirman 4 personas fallecidas no identificadas
➡️Entre 9 y 15 personas no localizadas según datos vecinales obtenidos por policía…
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.
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.
(00:29 h) #IncendioCampanar:
— Emergències 112CV (@GVA112) February 22, 2024
El subdirector de Emergencias de la @generalitat, Jorge Suárez, informa de la ÚLTIMA HORA:
➡️Se confirman 4 personas fallecidas
➡️Las características del edificio no permiten trabajar en la extinción del interior del edificio. Se sigue enfriando la… pic.twitter.com/mYmfJJM6eP
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.
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