Benidorm hotel chaos as ceiling collapses on Easter diners leaving seven injured

Sudden structural failure struck the dining area of the Poseidón Palace hotel in Benidorm

At least seven people have been injured after part of a hotel ceiling suddenly collapsed during Easter Sunday lunch in the Spanish resort of Benidorm.

The chaos erupted at the Poseidón Palace, a popular hotel with both Irish and UK holidaymakers, as chunks of plasterboard and air‑con ducting came crashing down without warning, smashing onto around 60 diners, The Mirror reports.

Emergency crews raced to the scene within minutes, confirming that a eight‑year‑old boy and a 78‑year‑old man were among those rushed to hospital, though both were later discharged after treatment. Several more guests, aged between 33 and 80, were also taken to nearby hospitals for checks.

CICU officials activated SAMU medical units together with basic life support and non-assisted transport teams to handle the incident. Red Cross personnel helped those affected during the incident at the popular Costa Blanca resort.

Local media reports that the reason for the collapse at the three-star hotel remains unclear, adding that it is not the first time something like this has taken place in Benidorm.

The bustling resort, on Spain's Costa Blanca, is known for its lively nightlife, sweeping beaches and its many high‑rise hotels that draw visitors from across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

While it has long been a favourite destination for hen and stag groups, many Irish holidaymakers also gravitate towards the Old Town and the rugged coastline that offers a quieter contrast to the resort's more familiar party image.

According to Visit Benidorm's latest annual report, the city welcomed more than three million visitors in 2025. Around 900,000 of them travelled from the UK, with significant numbers also arriving from Ireland and elsewhere across the continent.