Dozens of holidaymakers evacuated from Costa del Sol hotel after explosion

Dozens of tourists were forced to flee a hotel at in Costa del Sol after an explosion tore through the building.

The explosion sparked a fire that could be seen for miles.

Part of the fifth floor of the four-star Olas Hotel in the Costa Tropical resort of Almunecar, around 50 miles east of Malaga, was badly damaged in the blast.

The explosion left one man injured.

The hotel was 60% full with guests arriving for the start of Easter break when the blast occurred.

The incident occurred as workers from energy firm Repsol were refilling fuel tanks for the establishment’s boiler on the building's terrace.

Flames quickly engulfed the top level with a massive plume of smoke.

Emergency services raced to the scene before evacuating holidaymakers as fire crews tackled the blaze.

An injured man, who was the driver of the propane gas lorry, was taken to Santa Ana Hospital in the nearby town of Motril. Two firefighters were also treated for smoke inhalation.

An investigation into the incident is underway.

Local mayor Juan Jose Ruiz Joya said it was a "miracle" none of the 44 guests affected were killed or injured.

He said: "The area most affected was unoccupied at the time, which prevented a greater tragedy. We should be relieved nothing serious happened despite the explosion, which was quite powerful.

"The explosion caused part of the roof to collapse onto the street, but this did not result in any accidents either. The damage was mainly to property."

It is not immediately clear when the building will be declared safe for guests at the hotel.