Costa del Sol pool deaths a ‘tragic accident’
The unfortunate deaths of three British family members who were holidaying in the Costa de Sol for Christmas has been deemed a ‘tragic accident’ by the hotel operator
**This story has been updated
Gabriel Diya, 52, and his children Praise Emmanuel, 16, and Comfort, nine, died in a pool accident at Club La Costa World, Fuengirola, in the Costa del Sol on Tuesday 24 December. It has been reported that Diya’s daughter got into difficulties while in the pool and Diya and his son tried to rescue her. Sadly, all three family members died during this rescue attempt. According to multiple Spanish media outlets, a family member testified before Civil Guard police that all three were unable to swim, but, more recently, Diya's wife assured the BBC that all three could swim. Although Diya’s wife raised the alarm, the emergency lifesaving treatment that was administered was unable to revive them.
Post-mortem results released by local police on Boxing Day found that all three had died by drowning. Although local reports noted that the Spanish police had been investigating the pool pump for a possible failure the hotel operator CLC World Resorts and Hotels stated that the inquiries have found ‘no concerns relating to the pool in question’ and that the incident appeared to be a ‘tragic accident’.
“Club La Costa World resort continues to co-operate fully with the authorities investigating this appalling tragedy,” said the hotel operator. “We have followed their directions at all times. Naturally, we will continue to offer every assistance and comply fully and transparently with any requests made by them. At the same time, we are doing everything possible to provide care and support to bereaved family members and to all our other guests. Our of respect for the family, we have no further comment at this stage on various media speculation.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed that it is offering assistance to a British woman following an incident in Spain.