Hotel blast injures one as guests escape fire at Costa Tropical holiday resort in Spain
Dozens of tourists were forced to flee a hotel at a popular holiday resort after an explosion tore through the building, sparking a fire visible for miles.
Part of the fifth floor of the four-star Olas Hotel in the Costa Tropical resort of Almunecar, around 50 miles east of Malaga, was badly damaged in the blast, which left one man injured.
The hotel was 60% full with guests arriving for the start of Easter break when the blast occurred. The chaos unfolded as workers from energy firm Repsol were refilling fuel tanks for the establishment’s boiler on the building’s terrace.
Flames quickly engulfed the top level with a massive plume of smoke rising from the hotel visible from several miles away. Emergency responders raced to the scene before evacuating holidaymakers as fire crews tackled the blaze.
An injured man, who was the driver of the propane gas lorry, was taken to Santa Ana Hospital in the nearby town of Motril. Two firefighters were also treated for smoke inhalation.
An investigation into the incident is underway following frantic efforts to find tourists staying at the hotel alternative accommodation in the area.
A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency response coordination centre said: "One person has been injured following an explosion that occurred yesterday on the roof of a hotel in Almunecar, in the province of Granada.
"At 1:10 pm, the emergency line received the first of nearly fifteen calls reporting an explosion on the roof of a five-storey hotel on a street called Avenida de Europa.
"A mobile intensive care unit and a medical team were mobilised, as well as the Civil Guard, the Provincial Fire Brigade Consortium, and the Local Police. Two volunteers from the Almunecar Local Civil Protection Group also travelled to the scene in a vehicle.
"The injured person was the individual who was refilling the boiler with gas in the laundry room on the fifth floor. He suffered head injuries. The incident caused material damage to the top floor of the building and led to the precautionary evacuation of guests."
It was not immediately clear this morning when the building will be declared safe for guests at the hotel, which is better known in the area by its old name of Hotel Carmen, to return.
Local mayor Juan Jose Ruiz Joya said it was a "miracle" none of the 44 guests affected were killed or injured. He said: "The area most affected was unoccupied at the time, which prevented a greater tragedy. We should be relieved nothing serious happened despite the explosion, which was quite powerful.
"The explosion caused part of the roof to collapse onto the street, but this did not result in any accidents either. The damage was mainly to property."
Hotel Olas describes itself online as a "Mediterranean retreat by the sea." It adds: "Located in the heart of Almunecar, next to Majuelo Park, in the shadow of San Miguel Castle and just a four-minute walk from the beach. Our simple, welcoming Andalusian-style hotel is ideal for those looking to combine relaxation, fine dining, and culture.”
Officials have not specified if any British or Irish tourists were staying at the hotel when the explosion occurred.
World Affairs Correspondent
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