Three people have been taken to hospital and dozens evacuated after a carbon monoxide leak at a popular five star Majorcan hotel. The alarm was raised at Nixe Palace Hotel in Palma on Friday evening after two guests on the ninth started suffering from dizziness and discomfort.

Feeling severely unwell, the two holidaymakers alerted reception before losing consciousness. A member of the hotel’s medical staff also fell unwell. Samu, the emergency medical services in Spain rushed to the scene and took the two guests and the one hotel staff member to hospital. Boasting 133 five-star beachfront rooms close to the heart of Palma de Majorca the hotel was forced to close its ninth floor, where the toxic gas had reportedly accumulated.

Nearly renovated in 2024, the luxury hotel prides itself in offering some of the best services in Majorca. It is Palma’s only five star hotel.

A 35-year-old woman, described as the most seriously affected, was transferred in critical condition to Clínica Juaneda, a general hospital in Majorca. Her condition has now improved and is said to be stable.

A 58-year-old Swedish man was taken to Clínica Rotger, a hospital in Palma, with moderate symptoms.

A third person, aged 40, was treated for mild poisoning and admitted to Son Espases University Hospital in Palma.

After investigating the scene Palma’s firefighters confirmed that the leak stemmed from a combustion issue in the hotel’s kitchen, with carbon monoxide rising and building up on the ninth floor. 

Firefighters used gas detectors to take readings throughout the building.

Guests were only allowed to return back on the premises and kickstart their holidays once again after it had been declared safe. The ninth floor remains closed to the public.

Common syptoms of carbon monoxcide poisoning include: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures, chest pain, disorientation, and loss of consciousness. IT needs to be treated right away by getting outside to fresh air and calling the emergency services.

The most common causes of carbon monoxide building up are incorrectly installed or poorly maintained or ventilated appliances – like stoves and hot water heaters.