Death fall walkway to be fenced off

OWNERS of an apartment block in Magaluf where three Britons fell to their deaths have been ordered to make safety changes.

Council chiefs have been told that the most dangerous areas of the Mallorca Eden Roc complex must be fenced off.

The sections include a 70-foot “walkway of death” which at least two of the victims are thought to have fallen from.

Thomas Channon, 18, of Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan, died last week at the hotel.

Tom Hughes, 20, of Wrexham, fell to his death in June near the hotel entrance.

Bar worker Natalie Cormack, 19, from West Kilbride, Ayrshire, also died in April after she tried to edge her way along an overhang around a locked entrance door after she discovered she did not have a key. A glass panel has since been erected at the spot to avoid a repeat accident.

Calvia council, which covers the party resort of Magaluf, has given Eden Roc owners a month to come up with a long-term plan to improve safety.

A source said: “A lot of people use the building and there’s a huge drop the other side of a pretty narrow walkway leading to the apartment block entrance.”

A council spokesman added: “Although the building is a private apartment block and not a hotel, the council can require modifications be made to address safety issues.

“A letter went out last Friday requesting fencing is put up around the most dangerous areas within 10 days and a safety project is presented to the local authority within a month.”

Travel trade association Abta and the Foreign Office launched an appeal last month for holidaymakers to avoid taking risks.

Abta spokeswoman Nikki White said: “With many people heading off on their summer holiday, we strongly advise them to take care when on balconies and be aware about the potential risks. A moment of carelessness can have a devastating impact.”