The Head of Instruction of the Mobile Brigade of the Ertzaintza, José Luis Sánchez Urkiaga, has expressed the deep sorrow and solidarity of the Basque police force following the tragic accident that claimed the lives of five officers from the Foral Police. The deceased were en route to the Iurreta base in Bizkaia to conduct material tests as part of regular meetings between these specialized units.
«It has been a very hard blow,» stated Sánchez Urkiaga, «because they are colleagues we have known on previous occasions. The relationship between us is very good, and that has affected us even more.» He added that the meeting was «one more reason to bring together this police family that we are. And unfortunately, it couldn't be.»
Sánchez Urkiaga explained that the Mobile Brigade of the Ertzaintza and the BCI (Central Intervention Brigade) of the Foral Police are similar teams with a close relationship for years, especially since the creation of rapid emergency patrol groups. «About ten years ago, we started doing these types of training sessions, and we have met many times,» he noted.
On the day of the accident, Sánchez Urkiaga was traveling and recalled that they had material tests scheduled. «This fatality just happened,» he lamented sadly.
He personally knew some of the deceased, such as José and Jesús from the BCI, and Mintxo, the head of Intervention, «a person who was friends with everyone.» «They were fine people,» he added.
The facilities in Iurreta are «a police center with all kinds of training facilities,» he detailed. It includes a shooting range and outdoor scenarios for simulations. «It is perhaps the most suitable place for any police procedure,» he emphasized.
In the last ten years, the Ertzaintza and the Foral Police have created similar units to support Citizen Security, particularly in cases of gender violence or complex situations requiring specialized interventions. These units, like the GIE (Special Intervention Group) and the Berrozi groups, demand high levels of training and equipment.
