Gas canister explodes in cafe near Malaga leaving at least 77 people injured with five in a serious condition at holiday hotspot
Terrifying blast took place in the town of Velez-Malaga on the Costa del Sol at 5pm during a festival with some of the injured having to be taken to hospital in the back of police cars
AT least 77 people have been injured after a gas canister exploded near Malaga in Spain.
Five victims are in a serious condition after the blast at a cafe in the town of Velez-Malaga, which sits 23 miles east to the east of the city, on the country's tourist-packed southern coast.
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Carnage ... Investigators surveying the scene in Velez-MalagaCredit: Reuters
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Destruction ... Gas blast blew up popular cafeCredit: Reuters
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Aftermath ... Wreckage and debris outside the La Bohemia cafeCredit: RUPTLY
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Resort … Velez-Malaga is on Spain’s popular Costa del Sol
That area of Spain is particularly popular with British holidaymakers and expats although it hasn't been confirmed what caused the gas explosion at the 'La Bohemia' cafe.
A spokesman for Spanish emergency services said the explosion rocked the resort yesterday at around 5pm when a local festival was taking place.
Shocking footage of the aftermath posted on social media shows panicked crowds screaming outside the cafe as it is engulfed in flames.