British mother detained by Spanish police after her two children found dead in hotel

A BRITISH woman will face further questioning by Spanish police today after her two children were found dead in a hotel room on the Costa Brava.

Police said the children, a one year-old boy and a girl, aged five, were discovered in a room in the Hotel Miramar in Lloret de Mar yesterday afternoon.

In a statement, they said the mother telephoned the hotel reception desk to call police and the ambulance service.

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A police spokeswoman said the cause of death was unknown and post-mortem examinations would be carried out. Reports yesterday suggested there were no signs of physical violence.

The British Embassy in Madrid confirmed an inquiry had been launched into the youngster's deaths and a Foreign Office spokesman added: "We are in contact with the Spanish police but because the children are minors we cannot say much. There is an ongoing investigation."

It later confirmed consular staff were in contact with the police who were holding the woman in custody overnight.

Police were called to the four-star hotel at about 2pm local time.

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A Girona Police spokesman said they received a note from the local police of Lloret de Mar that the bodies of two children had been discovered.

He said: "When the officers arrived at the scene they found two children inside a room at a hotel.

"Girona Police are investigating the death of the two children.

"The police have detained the mother of the minors to find out what happened."

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Later, police said the mother would be held in custody overnight and face further questioning today.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that emergency services had attempted to revive the children.

The family were on holiday in the resort which is a popular destination for British visitors.

Around 1.5 million people visit the Costa Brava region each year and while Lloret de Mar attracts a young crowd for its nightlife, the resort has also been popular with British families since the 1970s .

The four-star Hotel Miramar is on the sea front in the former fishing village, near a large number of bars and restaurants.

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