Three of the ten British tourists who contracted Legionnaire’s disease in a Calpe hotel have died.  All were aged between 73 and 78.

The first to die was a 76-year-old man, who died in intensive care at a clinic in Benidorm on Tuesday.  The second victim was found dead in his hotel room on Tuesday. A third fatality has been confirmed, but no more details have been released.

Saga Holidays, the holiday company with whom all the victims were travelling, has confirmed the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe as the source of the deadly outbreak, and an expert has been sent to Spain to deal with the situation.  Water samples have been taken from the hotel and all its guests moved to a new hotel.

Regional Councillor for Health, Luis Rosado, said an investigation was underway by the health department to try and establish the origin of the outbreak, although initial reports suggest that they had already identified the source as taps and or shower heads in the hotel. The hotel has been closed temporarily to avoid further infection.

In total, 14 people have been affected by the outbreak - ten British tourists and four Spanish citizens.  All are in their 70s or 80s.

As a health precaution, anyone who has stayed at the Diamante Hotel in Calpe over the last month is advised to seek medical advice if they develop any flu-like symptoms.