Family in Spanish drowning tragedy are named

A BRITISH father who drowned along with two of his children in a pool in the Costa del Sol on Christmas Eve was a Christian pastor who reportedly could not swim.

Gabriel Diya, 52, his daughter Comfort Diya, nine, and his son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16, died in the triple tragedy at the Club La Costa World holiday resort.

Reports suggest Comfort struggled in the water before her brother and father jumped in, in a failed attempt to rescue her. Another daughter who was not harmed told Spanish police none of the three were able to swim, according to Spanish daily newspaper El Pais.

A neighbour of the family said she was “really devastated” to learn of the deaths, describing the Diyas as “very religious, very friendly, very humble”.

Speaking outside her home in Charlton, south-east London, Lara Akins, 59, added: “I still can’t comprehend it, it’s still shocking.

“They are so nice, that is why everybody is shocked... we are very friendly with each other.”

Local reports said Spanish police were investigating the pool pump for a possible failure, with a report saying Comfort’s swimming cap was found in the pool’s suction system. But inquiries have found “no concerns relating to the pool in question” and the incident appears to be a “tragic accident”, according to hotel operator CLC World Resorts and Hotels.

In a statement the firm said: “The Guardia Civil have carried out a full investigation which found no concerns relating to the pool in question or procedures in place, which leaves us to believe this was a tragic accident which has left everyone surrounding the incident in shock.”

Local journalist Gerard Couzens said the pool, at the resort near Fuengirola, has since re-opened.