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Costa del Sol deaths: Police launch investigation after father and brother drown ‘trying to save nine-year-old girl’ in swimming pool

The family were on holiday when the deaths occurred on Christmas Eve

Eleanor Busby
Wednesday 25 December 2019 15:32 GMT
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Three members of British family found dead in Costa Del Sol swimming pool

Spanish police have launched an investigation after the deaths of a British man and his two children in a swimming pool at a holiday resort in the Costa del Sol.

All three were found unresponsive in a pool after the nine-year-old girl got into difficulties in the water and her father and brother reportedly jumped in to try to save her.

The family, including the children’s mother and another child, were on holiday when the deaths occurred at the Club La Costa World resort on Christmas Eve, according to reports.

It is understood that the father and daughter were both British citizens, while the 16-year-old brother was an American passport holder.

The mother of the family was among a number of holidaymakers to raise the alarm following the incident. She is now being questioned by police investigators.

Police scuba divers were deployed to assess the pool, according to local media reports.

A spokesperson for the holiday resort, based near the town of Fuengirola in southern Spain, said: “Management at Club La Costa World resort would like to offer its heartfelt condolences to the family affected by the loss of three family members on 24 December 2019.

“The guests were found unresponsive in one of the resort’s pools. First response teams and emergency services attended and administered first aid.

“The management are assisting the authorities fully with their investigation into the deaths.

“We would like to thank our first response team and the emergency services for their quick and appropriate responses, and our staff for the continuing support of the family at this difficult time.”

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are offering assistance to a British woman following an incident in Spain.”

Additional reporting by AP and PA

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