Two individuals lost their lives and multiple others sustained injuries in a fire at a popular destination for British tourists.
The tragic incident occurred at a residence in Mallorca, Spain, where nine individuals required treatment for smoke inhalation, and two individuals succumbed to the fire, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Civil Guard.
The fire ignited at approximately 5 am on the third floor of a residential building in Magaluf, according to a statement from the Civil Guard. Despite residents’ efforts to extinguish the flames, they quickly spread throughout the building, leading to the evacuation of over 12 people and visible smoke from a distance.
Emergency services managed to extinguish the fire about two hours later. The nationalities of the victims were not immediately disclosed, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, as stated by the Civil Guard.
Magaluf, situated approximately 14 miles from Palma de Mallorca, is a favored beach and nightlife spot for British visitors. The blaze originated on the third floor of Edificio Trianón on C/ Federico GarcÃa Lorca, near Punta Ballena, enveloping the entire building in smoke. Tragically, those inside attempted to escape but were trapped.
Residents in the apartment complex attempted to douse the flames to no avail, resulting in the rapid spread of the fire to upper floors. The mayor of Calvià , Juan Antonio Amengual, visited the scene, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic event, which initially seemed minor but escalated quickly.
Amengual noted challenges faced by firefighters due to the location of the fire and highlighted a crucial factor contributing to the fatalities – individuals fleeing to the stairwell instead of staying in their apartments during the emergency. The mayor confirmed two fatalities and mentioned a critically injured individual at Son Espases Hospital, hoping for their recovery.