In the early hours in Bilbao, a deeply disturbing event unfolded that has left the community in shock. The Ertzaintza, the autonomous police force of the Basque Country, is conducting a thorough investigation into the violent deaths of a father and his 13-year-old daughter. According to the Department of Security of the Basque Government, the father allegedly took the life of his child before ending his own. The mother, who alerted authorities, has been hospitalized due to injuries sustained.

The incident came to light when the Bilbao Municipal Police received a distress call at 5:08 AM. The call was made by a woman in need of urgent assistance after escaping from a residence in the Errekalde neighborhood, where a severe case of gender and domestic violence was occurring. The police were informed that her partner and their daughter were still inside the home.

Upon arrival, municipal officers provided aid to the injured woman and proceeded to the residence where the violence had transpired. Inside, they discovered the lifeless bodies of both the young girl and the man, both showing signs of violent assault, allegedly with a sharp weapon. The injured woman was promptly transported to Basurto Hospital for medical care.

The Ertzaintza has taken command of the investigation, safeguarding the crime scene for a meticulous forensic examination by specialized units. This tragic event underscores the persistent issue of domestic violence and the critical need for effective intervention and support systems.

For those affected by gender-based violence, the hotline 016 offers support 24/7 in 53 languages, ensuring anonymity by not recording the call on phone bills, though users must delete the call from their device history. Additional contact options include email and WhatsApp at the specified numbers. Minors can seek help through the ANAR Foundation at 900 20 20 10. In emergencies, the numbers 112, 091 for the National Police, and 062 for the Civil Guard are available. The ALERTCOPS app also provides a discreet way to alert police with location data.