90 injured in gas explosion in southern Spain

A total of 90 people were confirmed as injured, with five in a serious condition, following a gas explosion in a cafeteria in the town of Velez-Malaga, southern Spain, on Saturday night.

Spanish TV network RTVE reports the five people who were seriously injured were taken to hospital in Velez-Malaga and the city of Malaga. None of the lives of the injured are thought to be in danger.

Meanwhile 57 people were taken to the hospital Comarcal de la Axarquia and the remainder, most of whom were suffering from cuts and bruises, received treatment in local health centers.

The explosion, which happened at 18:45 local time, was apparently caused by a leak from a butane gas bottle in the kitchen of the cafeteria in the center of Velez-Malaga, which was celebrating its local Fiesta de San Miguel celebration at the time.

One of the cooks was able to give a warning that gas was leaking which probably meant there were less serious injuries than would otherwise have been the case, nevertheless there was a large amount of material damage.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene as were two local police who were at the cafe at the moment of the explosion, with the fire-brigade retiring further gas bottles to ensure there was no second explosion.

The local mayor, Antonio Moreno thanked emergency services for their rapid help, along with the "numerous people" who helped the injured. Endit