According to preliminary information from the city of Münster, members of the voluntary fire brigade and an employee of the administration are among the 13 tourists who are in custody in Palma, Mallorca, for suspected arson.
The 13-strong bowling club travel group includes six members of fire engines from two districts, as the head of the Münster fire brigade announced on Monday. The city speaks cautiously of still unsecured findings. The city first wants to wait for the investigations of the Spanish authorities, said Wolfgang Heuer, the city’s regulatory officer, according to the announcement.
The tourists have been in custody since Saturday. They face several years in prison. The responsible investigating magistrate did not allow release on bail.
The Germans, aged between 24 and 29, are accused of throwing cigarette butts on the terrace roof of a restaurant in the immediate vicinity of the Ballermann, shortly after arriving on the island at a party on two balconies of their hotel rooms on Friday afternoon and also pouring alcohol on it. The reed roof caught fire.
According to media reports, the flames damaged the restaurant and another bar as well as an adjacent apartment and the hotel. There was property damage of at least 150,000 euros. According to media reports, two people were slightly injured. (dpa)