Double Easter tragedy hits ‘hippy’ commune

April 10, 2007  •  Andalucia  •  0 Comments

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Two babies among four dead as Junta launches probe

TRAGEDY has hit a traveller’s camp in La Alpujarra, Spain after four people – including two young children – died in two separate incidents.
An 18-month-old child was among three people who died after fire ripped through a van. Hours later, a 45-day-old baby was pronounced dead on arrival by medics at the health centre in nearby Órgiva.

The Junta de Andalucía regional government has announced it is to open an investigation into the deaths of the two children.

Fatal blaze

The first tragedy struck when a child and two women died after a faulty gas oven caused flames to engulf a van close to the El Beneficio commune on April 7.

According to an initial Guardia Civil investigation, the blaze started when the 28-year-old owner of the vehicle was preparing a meal inside the van shortly before 10pm.

The flames quickly spread to a mattress on the floor before gutting the vehicle.

The owner managed to escape the blaze but died the following day at the Virgen del Rocío hospital in Sevilla with 80 per cent burns to her body.

The bodies of a woman, 27, and her 18-month-old daughter were recovered by firefighters from the charred remains of the van.

The three victims are believed to be German nationals.

Infection

In a separate incident, a 45-day-old baby from the same commune died after suffering an infection.

The child was taken to the health centre in Órgiva on April 8 by his parents – both believed to be from Hungary – where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A preliminary autopsy revealed septic shock as the cause of death. However, judges in Órgiva are waiting for further tests on the baby’s body and a bacteriological report, which will determine the exact cause of infection and time of death.

The body of the baby showed no signs of violence but press agency Efe quoted a health centre worker as saying there were possible signs of neglect.

Teresa Jiménez, the Granada delegate from the Junta de Andalucía, confirmed the regional government is to investigate the deaths of the young children.

“Both Social Services and the Órgiva town council will clarify all the details of the events and send their findings to the public prosecutor if necessary,” she said.

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