An abandoned hand luggage suitcase prompted a major police response in Sant Antoni on Tuesday, 10 November, with Guardia Civil explosives specialists, a detection dog and five local police patrols deployed. Several surrounding streets were closed and the area was evacuated as a precaution before authorities confirmed that the suitcase contained no explosives. The incident occurred on the same day that a separate backpack explosion in Oviedo claimed the lives of a National Police officer and a police dog, while seriously injuring a TEDAX specialist.

Residents and businesses in central Sant Antoni were temporarily evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after an abandoned suitcase prompted a security operation involving the Guardia Civil and the Local Police.

The incident took place near the intersection of Carrer de Soledat and Carrer de València, where a suspicious hand luggage suitcase had been left unattended in the street.

According to information released by Sant Antoni Town Council, the alert was received at approximately 13:00 after a local shopkeeper contacted the emergency services through 112.

The discovery led to a precautionary security operation, with police establishing a safety perimeter, closing several surrounding streets to traffic and clearing the affected area while specialists examined the suitcase.

The operation eventually confirmed that there was no explosive device inside and no bomb threat to the public.

Five Local Police Patrols and Guardia Civil Explosives Specialists Deployed

The response involved five patrols from the Policía Local de Sant Antoni, representing all the units available during the morning shift.

The Guardia Civil also activated its TEDAX teams, specialists trained in the detection and neutralisation of explosive devices, alongside a canine unit trained specifically to detect explosives.

Their deployment allowed the suspicious object to be examined under the appropriate security procedures.

As a precaution, officers established a restricted perimeter around the location, interrupted traffic along several nearby streets and evacuated the surrounding area to protect residents, businesses and passers-by.

The measures remained in place while the specialist teams carried out their checks.

No Explosives or Bomb Threat Found

Following the examination, the Guardia Civil confirmed that the suitcase did not contain an explosive device and did not represent a bomb threat.

Sant Antoni Town Council confirmed that the intervention ended once the authorities had ruled out any danger to the public.

The incident therefore resulted in a precautionary security operation rather than the discovery of an actual explosive device.

Where Did the Incident Take Place?

The incident occurred on Carrer de Soledat, close to its intersection with Carrer de València in central Sant Antoni.

The surrounding streets were temporarily affected by the security perimeter and traffic restrictions while officers carried out their work.

The alert came from a local shopkeeper who noticed the unattended suitcase and contacted emergency services, prompting the subsequent police deployment.

A Separate Fatal Explosion in Oviedo on the Same Day

The Sant Antoni incident occurred on Tuesday, 10 November, the same day as a separate tragedy in Oviedo, northern Spain.

An explosive device concealed inside a backpack detonated during a police intervention in the Villafría neighbourhood. The explosion claimed the life of a National Police sub-inspector from the Canine Unit, as well as the police dog Deny, a three-year-old German shepherd working alongside his handler.

A specialist from the TEDAX explosives unit was also seriously injured. The officer suffered injuries that required the amputation of one leg and underwent surgery at the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias.

According to the latest update from the National Police spokesperson, Pedro Aguado, the injured officer remained alive in a serious but stable condition following surgery. Police authorities explicitly denied false reports circulating that the second officer had also died.

The explosion occurred after officers responded to an earlier shooting incident involving a 17-year-old girl. During the subsequent police intervention, they discovered a backpack containing an explosive device inside the building.

The device detonated while specialists were handling it as part of the operation.

The two incidents in Sant Antoni and Oviedo were unrelated. While the suspicious suitcase in Ibiza was confirmed to contain no explosives, the explosion in Asturias resulted in the deaths of a police officer and a police dog and left another specialist seriously injured.

The Sant Antoni Operation Ended Without Explosives Being Found

What began as an emergency alert in central Sant Antoni resulted in a significant police deployment, temporary evacuations and disruption to nearby streets.

However, the specialist examination ultimately ruled out the suspected danger, allowing the security operation to conclude.

The incident also highlighted the precautionary procedures followed by emergency services when suspicious luggage is discovered in a public area. Although unattended suitcases do not necessarily contain dangerous objects, authorities must assess potential risks before allowing people to return to the affected area.

In Sant Antoni, the intervention ended after the Guardia Civil established that there was no explosive device and no continuing threat to public safety.