- 27 people were injured in Altea after a pyrotechnic shell deviated during the traditional Castell de l’Olla fireworks display and reached the area where the audience was.
- The incident occurred during the night from August 8 to 9, 2026, when around 100,000 spectators gathered for the event.
- Fourteen people were taken to hospitals, with 11 of those transferred to the burns unit at Alicante General University Hospital.
- The organisers expressed regret over the incident and thanked emergency workers for their response.
- The accident has renewed questions about pyrotechnic safety in Spain, particularly during the wildfire season.
- The Castell de l’Olla is one of the main events of the summer in Altea and celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
- The mayor of Altea stated that the incident was due to a failure during one of the launch phases.
- Fire safety has become a growing concern in Spain due to extreme heat and dry vegetation increasing the risk of wildfires.
- The investigation into the incident aims to clarify why a shell intended to explode over the sea fell into the audience area.
A pyrotechnic failure during the Castell de l’Olla fireworks in Altea left 27 injured on August 9, as a shell deviated and struck the audience. The event, celebrating its 40th anniversary, attracted around 100,000 spectators along the beach.27
According to the organizers, 14 people were hospitalized, with 11 transferred to the Burn Unit of the Doctor Balmis University General Hospital of Alicante. The mayor of Altea, Diego Zaragozí, stated that the incident was due to a failure during the launch phase from the beach platform.8
The situation escalated as the audience reacted to the impact, causing a small avalanche in the spectator area, leading to falls and bruises. One person remained hospitalized at the General Hospital of Alicante, but no serious injuries were reported.
This incident has sparked renewed scrutiny over fireworks safety in Spain, particularly during the summer wildfire season, as authorities raised the fire emergency level in the region. Organizers expressed their deep regret and thanked emergency workers for their swift response.
The Castell de l’Olla is one of the most significant summer events in the Alicante region, and this year’s incident has raised questions about the safety protocols in place for such large-scale pyrotechnic displays.
“The accident occurred during the 40th anniversary edition, which used over 1,500 kilos of gunpowder and drew around 100,000 spectators. Eleven of the 14 hospital transfers were to the burns unit, and one patient remained hospitalized, with no serious injuries reported.”
Euro Weekly News
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