Two young men have died in the last two weeks after falling from the balcony at Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio, which is known for its live music and vibrant atmosphere but has now been dubbed a ‘death hotel’
The notorious Ibiza Rocks Hotel has faced another tragedy after a Brit holidaymaker fell to his death from the hotel’s balcony.
Gary Kelly, 19, was visiting the Spanish island when he fell from the third floor of the four-star Ibiza Rocks Hotel just after midnight on Monday. Two ambulances were sent to the scene, but paramedics said there was nothing they could do to save him.
A spokesman for the Civil Guard confirmed this morning: “We are investigating the death of a 19-year-old British man at a hotel in San Antonio in Ibiza. The alarm was raised around 12.40am this morning.
“Our officers were sent to the scene but the man in question was already dead by the time help arrived. The fall was from from the third floor of the hotel to an outside part of the complex. Court officials authorised the removal of his body at 2.40am this morning.
“The fall could be accidental based on the early information obtained from cameras but as part of the investigation possible witnesses will need to be located and interviewed. The results of the post-mortem will also be important to the investigation.”
Well-placed sources confirmed the hotel where the tragedy occurred is the famous Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio. The source said: “The post-mortem will help to determine if the man who died had consumed alcohol or taken drugs beforehand and in what quantities.”
The teen’s tragic death comes just a fortnight after Scottish holidaymaker Evan Thomson lost his life after falling from his sixth-floor balcony at the same hotel while celebrating his 26th birthday with friends. Evan was pronounced dead at the scene after medics rushed to the hotel at around 6am on July 7.
Friends and family of Evan blasted bosses over how the aftermath of his death was handled, and claimed the hotel resumed normal operations less than 90 minutes after his traumatic death. They were enraged by social media posts allegedly uploaded hours later advertising their next pool party.
They also claimed they sat in an office “without answers” for an hour after they were informed of Evan’s death before being allowed back to their rooms. Pals of the Brit said they were told to pack up their belongings before being transferred to another nearby hotel.
Evan’s sister Teila said: “Ibiza is known for its partying and it just stuns me that they don’t have higher safety precautions. Pray nobody else suffers. And, once it did happen, the hotel’s response was just completely heartbreaking; almost as if it never happened. I pray no other family has to go through this.”
Remi Duncan, 23, said: “It was disgusting. There was minimal respect for the situation, considering the music went back on soon after Evan had died. It puts a pit in your stomach.”
In April a 33-year-old British woman died at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel. Local police and paramedics rushed to the hotel, situated just metres from one of the world’s most famous sunsets, after the alarm was raised around 6.30pm on April 30.
Emergency responders confirmed when they arrived the holidaymaker had gone into cardiac arrest and spent around 40 minutes practicing CPR on her to try to revive her. She was declared dead at the scene after efforts to save her life proved unsuccessful. Well-placed sources said at the time there was nothing pointing to the death being suspicious.
On April 27 a 19-year-old Italian tourist of Turkish origin plunged to her death from the fourth-floor at the same hotel. She had flown to the island the previous day and gone out partying. She was said at the time to have tried to been trying to reach her room via a balcony from a shared area of the hotel after realising she didn’t have her key card when she lost her footing and fell. Her lifeless body was discovered around 9am on April 27.
In light of Gary’s death, Ibiza Rocks hotel has suspended its events as authorities conduct their inquiries. A statement read: “We are deeply shocked and devastated by the recent incidents that have tragically occurred. Our priority is to support those affected and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time and to fully assist the authorities with their investigations.
“The safety and wellbeing of our guests has and always will remain our highest priority. Given the seriousness of the situation and out of respect for those involved we believe it is right to pause our advertised events programme at this time. All customers will be informed directly via email.”
(Image:
ELLIOT YOUNG
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The Ibiza Rocks Hotel, a hotspot known for its live music poolside events featuring top artists and DJs, is a magnet for British holidaymakers. The venue boasts a large pool, sun terraces, bars, and entertainment, drawing in young Brits with its vibrant atmosphere. Tourists are often seen dancing on balconies up to six floors above the music stage or in the swimming pool, often while intoxicated.
One person who stayed there “many years ago” told the Mirror: “It was full of 18-24 year olds, girls were more interested in their looks etc than getting drunk but the boys were getting very drunk and high. Drugs were most of the problem. I actually saw the body of a teenager lying on the ground after he fell from the balcony of a hotel nearby. It turned out he was the precious son of a good family who was on his first boys holiday and was a talented rugby player.”
They added: “The main trouble is ketamine – it makes users hallucinate and feel invincible. Spanish police once said it was main reason for the balcony deaths – and the fact that guys try to get to each other balconies for a laugh. It has not changed sadly.”
Former guests at the hotel have shared their thoughts on social media. One partygoer wrote: “It’s a really fun place… until it isn’t. It’s 24/7 carnage, just party after party with everyone dancing on balconies or swimming in pools even though they’re wasted.”
Another expressed on X: “This place needs shut down! The stories that are coming out and the way they treat their guests is appalling! A pattern like this shows serious safety failings but they continued business as usual and now unfortunately another young man has died! Heartbreaking.”
Someone else commented: “The balcony railings are far too low it seems to me.” Another fumed: “How many people need to die before you ACTUALLY do something about the safety of your hotel! absolutely ridiculous!!!!! Rest in peace Evan, so lucky to have known you.”
On TripAdvisor, yet another slammed: “A horror, to flee absolutely!! Hotel just horrible. Customers are disrespectful and there is no control or oversight by staff. If you want to spend a sleepless night, you’ve come to the right place: it’s noisy, poorly insulated, and chaos reigns all night. No respect for the rest of others. A frankly unpleasant experience from start to finish. Go your way!”
In a review from August last year one holidaymaker wrote: “DECADENT! Hotel is full of drunk people screaming and shouting 24/7 – security is rude and they don’t have control over it”.
Despite concerns being raised, the hotel has previously received a huge number of positive comments following a stay at the party hotel. One traveller wrote on Tripadvisor: “Wow!!! I have just got back from 4 nights @ Ibiza Rocks and it has been INCREDIBLE! I travelled alone with a friend meeting me out there later in the week!”
A second added: “This hotel is absolutely wild and is totally for the party goers in Ibiza. There is music daily. The hotel is very clean, staff are fabulous and so accommodating. I was expecting a very young crowd here but surprising the age group was late 20’s to mid 40’s which was great. It was definitely an experience”.
A third shared: “Stayed for a hen party with a group of 15 girls – hotel was fantastic, rooms were clean & staff were really friendly & helpful – highly recommend the rooftop room for hens was so great having the extra space! The chill pool is so good, prices there are so reasonable too – shop on site and also right opposite with everything you need – walking distance to everywhere you want to go that side of the Island!”
The Mirror has contacted Ibiza Rocks Hotel for a comment.
