The national director of the National Police and Guardia Civil, Joan Mesquida (photo), announced yesterday that the life of the National Police officer shot on duty during the early hours of yesterday morning "is not in danger" and vowed to deploy sufficient resources to the investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are hunted down and punished.

Fabián Torres (54) was hit in the chest after getting involved in a shoot-out with two suspected drug dealers in Benidorm's notorious El Molino district.

The shooting started after Torres, who had previously radioed in to request back-up, approached the two suspects and asked them to identify themselves.

In a separate statement, local MP Encarna Llinares informed the media that the bullet passed through the chest cavity below the heart, breaking a rib, but not damaging any vital organs.

Officer Torres is recovering satisfactorily from his ordeal at the Marina Baixa borough hospital in Villajoiosa.