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Spain: At least 10 dead, many missing as fire engulfs apartment blocks in Valencia

Search ops on for 15 missing people

Firefighters work at a burned block building in Valencia, Spain | AP

At least ten people died and several got injured after a fire engulfed a high-rise apartment complex in Valencia, Spain on Friday. Firefighters and armymen were calculating are engaged in rescue operations.

The extreme heat from the fire and the risk of the 14-storey building collapsing were posing a challenge for the rescue ops.

It is not yet known how many people were still trapped in the fire. According to the authorities, residents of the building were given accommodation in hotels or in the homes of relatives or neighbours.

The fire started in one part of the complex and spread to an adjacent building.

Around 90 soldiers from Spain's military Emergency Unit and 40 firefighting trucks were also deployed.

Valencia Mayor Maria Jose Catala said there were 15 people missing, who have not yet been located.

According to El Pais, newspaper, around 450 people were believed to live in the apartment blocks. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the affected region and expressed 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," he said.

We are here to help you, to show our commitment and the solidarity of Spanish society as a whole, he added.

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