Stray firework casing injures 27 at Castell de l'Olla show in Altea, Alicante
A firework casing veered off course and struck the crowd at the Castell de l'Olla pyrotechnic show in Altea, Alicante, injuring 27 people and sending 11 to a burn unit.
Incident on the beach
A firework casing veered off its planned trajectory and struck the sand of the Olla beach in Altea, Alicante, where large numbers of spectators had gathered to watch the Castell de l'Olla pyrotechnic show. The event, held over the sea, was celebrating its 40th anniversary and was performed by Vulcano pyrotechnics. According to the Cofradía Castell de l'Olla, the organising body, 27 people were injured and received medical attention. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 9 August 2026.
José Pérez, president of the Cofradía, told EFE that the impact was caused by one of the show's casings, which travelled further than expected and landed on the beach. Pérez said he did not know the exact number of injured, noting that most were people who tripped on beach stones while running from the area in a stampede, with several others suffering burns.
Medical response
Fourteen people were taken to Hospital IMED, and 11 of those were subsequently transferred to the burn unit at the Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. Another 13 people were treated at the Centro de Salud de Altea and discharged. The Centro de Información y Coordinación de Urgencias (CICU) of the Generalitat valenciana confirmed three transfers from the Altea health centre: a 55-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, both with burns, were taken by basic life support ambulance to the Marina Baixa hospital in La Vila Joiosa, and a 19-year-old with contusions was taken to IMED.
- Hospital IMED
- 14 people
- Alicante burn unit
- 11 people
- Altea health centre (discharged)
- 13 people
Official statements and witness accounts
The Cofradía said it is gathering and cross-checking available information and is awaiting official medical reports to determine the full extent and nature of the injuries. In a statement, the organisation said it deeply regretted the incident and conveyed its concern for all those affected, while thanking emergency, medical and security services for their rapid response and evacuation.
A video published on Instagram showed the moment of impact, with pyrotechnic material falling onto the area where spectators were standing. One witness, Instagram user @chenoaventuras, wrote that what was supposed to be a night to enjoy the Castell de l'Olla fireworks became one of the moments they had been most afraid in. Transport minister Óscar Puente, who has family ties to the province of Alicante, was present at the event and posted images of the show on his X profile.
