Multiple victims have been rushed to special burns units after an exploding firework shot into a huge crowd on a beach in Benidorm during the Castell de l’Olla de Altea festival
At least 27 people have been injured and multiple victims taken to special burns units after a firework shot into a massive crowd on a beach near Benidorm.
A rocket let off over the sea by organisers shot into the massive crowd lining the beach at Altea near Benidorm on the Costa Blanca. Fourteen people were rushed to hospital and eleven of them were treated at the Burns Unit of the General University Hospital of Alicante, while another 13 people were treated at the Altea health centre.
One witness said: “What was supposed to be a night of partying ended in moments of real panic. The fires went straight to the area where we were on the beach and people started running.
“Ambulances and emergency services went to the scene. There is talk of numerous wounded.”
Videos posted online show the “peacock” rockets exploding over the sea as one veers out of control and lands into the shocked crowd, causing panic and mass burns to onlookers. A large white cloud of smoke is clearly visible.
The firework display was a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Castell de l’Olla de Altea, which was held in the early hours of this Sunday and was watched by around 100,000 people, locals and tourists.
Organisers, the Brotherhood of Castell de l’Olla, said emergency, health and security services rushed to the scene to evacuate those affected after the incident.
More details are yet to be released. The Castell de l’Olla is a prestigious pyrotechnic festival held annually in Altea (Alicante). It is unique in that the fireworks are fired entirely from the sea, using floating platforms and barges.
This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly with the latest news, pictures and videos.
You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.
Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Daily Star every time you see our name.
Follow Daily Star on Android – CLICK HERE
Follow Daily Star on Apple – CLICK HERE
Follow Daily Star on Snapchat – CLICK HERE
You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news by following @starbreaksnews and follow us @dailystar for all the latest updates.
Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/thedailystar.