The tragedy at La Ería school in Oviedo left a community stunned after 12-year-old twins Anastasia and Alejandra were found dead on the morning of the incident, following a fall from the sixth floor of their family building at number 48. Neighbors and teachers alike spoke of the girls as bright students who moved easily among classmates, both fluent in Spanish and warmly regarded despite their Russian roots. Their younger brother, who attended the same school, was described with similar fondness. The questions that followed were urgent and unsettling: how could such a thing happen to two once-vibrant children?
Families connected to the school reported a warm, welcoming atmosphere with no visible signs of trouble. The twins and their peers were preparing for a four-day study trip to Madrid that had been organized by the school to enrich their learning experiences. It was said that funds for the trip were being raised through balloting to cover expenses, a customary practice in some schools. The sense of sadness grew as the community grappled with the unexpected loss.
One parent, Fernando Díaz Palacio, recalled seeing the twins at recess and watching them interact happily with other students. He noted the artistic talent of Anastasia and observed that his own child admired the girls for their drawing skills. The twins wore distinct hair bows of different colors to help teachers and friends tell them apart, a simple detail that underscored how closely they were bonded yet clearly individualized in the eyes of their peers.
Morning at La Ería wore an unusual stillness not typically associated with a busy school. The patrols of the National Police around the courtyard reflected the gravity of the moment, keeping the area calm and orderly as staff and families processed the news. At around 11:41 a.m., investigators and health authorities arrived, escorting adults connected to the children and guiding them through the unfolding events. Within minutes, the twins left the building with their younger brother and another boy, a close family friend’s child, as part of the day’s careful, shared response.
Emma Álvarez, the principal of La Ería, spoke of the emotional and logistical challenges that administrators face in the wake of such incidents. She emphasized the need for support systems within the school to help students cope when tragedy interrupts everyday life. The center had previously faced a disturbing incident when a neighbor engaged in violent behavior toward a student at the same school, a reminder of the fragile safety net surrounding young people in the community. The administration and staff worked to maintain a calm environment even as the investigation continued and the shock of the event settled.
By mid-morning the school community was already mobilizing resources to support students who needed psychological help. Counselors and teachers met with groups of classmates to address the overwhelming feelings stirred by the day’s events. Families expressed concern about how best to explain what happened to younger children and how to monitor the emotional impact on all students, especially those who were closest to the twins.
With the investigation continuing, the central administration refrained from public comment while authorities conducted their inquiries. The incident is being reviewed by the National Police, with investigators collecting testimonies and examining the circumstances surrounding the fall to determine what happened and to prevent similar tragedies in the future. In the meantime, the community searches for answers, seeking comfort in the routines of daily life as the school works to return to normalcy and to support every student through this difficult time.