A fire in an apartment building that was reportedly occupied by squatters in the city of Vigo (Galicia) killed four people, including three children, municipal authorities said on Wednesday.
Emergency services initially said that all four victims were between 9 and 14 years old, but Vigo Mayor Abel Caballero later confirmed one of the victims was an adult, with local media reporting that it was the child’s mother.
Medics evacuated nine other people to hospitals, emergency services for the Galicia region said. Three injured people, including a child, were in serious condition, they said.
The town has declared three days of mourning for the victims, Caballero said.
The building in central Vigo had several apartments that were occupied by squatters, Spanish state television RTVE reported, but it was unclear if the victims were squatters or residents.
The fire began around 4am on the ground floor of a building, according to local press reports.
El alcalde de Vigo, Abel Caballero, decreta tres días de luto y banderas a media asta.
— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) October 11, 2023
El Parlamento gallego guardará un minuto de silencio por las víctimas mortales del incendio de un edificio en Vigo https://t.co/i9X0CTvSFq pic.twitter.com/ygZtVtqlcB
🔴 Ascienden a cuatro los muertos en el incendio de un edificio en Vigo
— Faro de Vigo (@Farodevigo) October 11, 2023
📌 Las llamas se declararon sobre las 4.00 horas en un inmueble de la calle Alfonso X el Sabio, en las inmediaciones de Praza de América
🔗 https://t.co/2y7PefuMOohttps://t.co/2y7PefuMOo
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