Island couple survive blast at luxury hotel in Mexico

Tuesday 30th November 2010, 2:58PM GMT.

Maria Da Silva and Steve Le Tiec were staying in the luxury hotel when the explosion ripped through the foyer with fatal results

A FORMER Miss Battle of Flowers who was sitting just feet away from a gas explosion which ripped through a luxurious Mexico hotel, killing seven people, has told of her horrific experience.

Jersey Tourism staff member Maria Da Silva (31), who was Miss Battle in 2002, was on a two-week holiday at the resort with her boyfriend, Steve Le Tiec (38).

A nine-year-old child and a newlywed were among the five Canadians and two Mexicans killed when the explosion blew a 20-foot crater in the foyer of the Grand Riviera Princess Hotel in the beach resort of Playa del Carmen.

Miss Da Silva was having breakfast in the restaurant backing onto the foyer when she heard an almighty bang and saw smoke. She described ‘utter chaos’ as the wounded, some of whom had lost limbs, were treated with basic first aid kits and sun loungers were used as stretchers following the explosion.

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