A devastating gas explosion ripped through a restaurant in Malaga, Spain, leaving at least eight people injured, including two young children. The blast occurred at Restaurante Meson Morisco around 8:15 pm on Monday, as approximately 50 patrons gathered to watch Spain's football match against Cape Verde.
Blast Details
The explosion destroyed the upper floor of the restaurant and partially damaged an adjacent building. Among the injured were a two-year-old and a seven-year-old child, though none required immediate hospitalisation. Emergency services treated all eight victims at the scene.
Eyewitness Accounts
Local resident Marisa Vilches described hearing the explosion from her home. "I heard an explosion at home. At the time, I thought it was an earthquake," she told SUR. Rushing to the restaurant, she feared for the manager but was relieved to learn there were no serious casualties.
Another neighbour, María del Carmen Rodríguez, said the blast shook her windows. "It was like a bomb, just like a bomb," she recounted.
Cause and Response
Authorities suspect a leaky gas cylinder caused the explosion. The restaurant's upper floor was completely destroyed, and an elderly woman living in the flat above escaped unharmed, described by neighbours as "a miracle." She has temporarily moved into a holiday cottage with her daughter while the building is assessed.
The restaurant confirmed the tenant was evacuated without incident, and minor injuries resulted from falling glass fragments. The establishment will remain closed indefinitely.
Emergency crews removed remaining gas canisters to prevent further incidents. The Guardia Civil has launched an investigation into the explosion's cause.
