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Roof collapse kills British pair | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A British expatriate couple have been killed as a roof collapsed on them in southern Spain. | |
Christopher and Christine Martin, both in their early 60s, were visiting British friends in Rubite, Granada, when the dining room roof fell in. | Christopher and Christine Martin, both in their early 60s, were visiting British friends in Rubite, Granada, when the dining room roof fell in. |
The homeowners were in the kitchen at the time of the accident on Monday and suffered minor injuries. | The homeowners were in the kitchen at the time of the accident on Monday and suffered minor injuries. |
Investigators are looking at whether recent torrential downpours caused a landslide or subsidence. | Investigators are looking at whether recent torrential downpours caused a landslide or subsidence. |
They are also considering the possibility that the collapse was caused by a building defect in the "relatively modern" farmhouse. | They are also considering the possibility that the collapse was caused by a building defect in the "relatively modern" farmhouse. |
'Fantastic' couple | 'Fantastic' couple |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed the deaths of two British nationals in Granada. | A Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed the deaths of two British nationals in Granada. |
"It is believed the house they were staying in collapsed. We are in contact with the next of kin and are providing consular assistance to them," she said. | "It is believed the house they were staying in collapsed. We are in contact with the next of kin and are providing consular assistance to them," she said. |
They enjoyed the sun and the beach, and they were happy here Mayor Pedro Fernandez Garcia | They enjoyed the sun and the beach, and they were happy here Mayor Pedro Fernandez Garcia |
It is understood the couple were buried under the rubble. | It is understood the couple were buried under the rubble. |
A spokesman for the rescue services said some residents in other parts of Granada had been evacuated from their homes as a precaution. | A spokesman for the rescue services said some residents in other parts of Granada had been evacuated from their homes as a precaution. |
The local authorities have declared three days of mourning and suspended all cultural activities following the accident. | The local authorities have declared three days of mourning and suspended all cultural activities following the accident. |
The Martins had a home in the nearby village of La Mamola. The mayor, who described himself as a neighbour and friend, told the BBC they were a "fantastic" couple, who had lived there for six years. | The Martins had a home in the nearby village of La Mamola. The mayor, who described himself as a neighbour and friend, told the BBC they were a "fantastic" couple, who had lived there for six years. |
Pedro Fernandez Garcia said they were really integrated in the community and took part in the theatre club. | Pedro Fernandez Garcia said they were really integrated in the community and took part in the theatre club. |
"They enjoyed the sun and the beach, and they were happy here," he added. | "They enjoyed the sun and the beach, and they were happy here," he added. |
A service is due to be held for the couple in the village church on Friday. | A service is due to be held for the couple in the village church on Friday. |
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