Police investigate death of Belgian woman in Benidorm

Benidorm National Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 30-year-old Belgian woman.

Her naked body was found on the rocks 20 metres beneath the lookout point at Plaza de San Jaime, in the area known as Punta Canfali. A 39-year-old Spanish man, who was also injured in the incident, has been taken into custody in order to clarify whether the death was accidental or the result of gender violence. 

It is not clear if the man sustained his injuries falling with the woman or when he went to the place where she was found. Reports from witnesses suggest that the couple were seen arguing shortly before the fall. The couple own a catering establishment in the nearby area.

A post-mortem examination has revealed that the cause of death was in fact drowning.The victim hit the rocks and ended up in the sea. 

Police are waiting to take a statement from the man, who is currently in the intensive care unit of Marina Baixa Hospital in Villajoyosa. His condition has not been released by the hospital but reportedly he is under police guard as he was the only person at the scene and his previous statements were inconsistent. During the rescue it was noted that the man had a bruised and swollen right eye. 

The viewpoint is popular with tourists and accidents of this nature are difficult due to the metre-high balustrade which is in place to prevent such occurrences.