VIDEO: Armed man barricades himself in an apartment in Benalmadena and threatens to blow it up

The National Police arrested a 29-year-old man in the early hours of this morning (Monday) after he let off a fire extinguisher and then barricaded himself in a holiday apartment in Benalmádena, throwing objects off the balcony and threatening to set fire to and blow up the property.

At around 1.45am, several people raised the alarm when they saw a man armed with a large knife and wearing a mask causing panic by wandering around the communal areas of a holiday apartment complex in the Costa del Sol resort.

The first to intervene were plainclothes officers, who went to the address provided to make initial inquiries. Once there, the police found a 25cm long-bladed knife next to the door of a flat. They knocked on the door and tried to get the man to open the door, but he refused.

The situation worsened when the individual, who had barricaded himself in the flat, allegedly began to throw objects into the street from the balcony. According to the National Police, among other things, he threw a fire extinguisher, a five-litre bucket containing boiling water and a corrosive substance (which smelt of bleach), gym weights, seven knives, a microwave oven, and kitchen utensils.

The officers had to cordon off the area to avoid risk to passers-by, as it was in a very busy location with access to the Benalmádena promenade. In addition, at one point, the man allegedly threatened to cause an explosion while holding a lit candle in one hand and, in the other, a can that possibly contained a flammable liquid.

Following these threats, and due to the resistance put up by the man, an extensive police operation was set up involving a large number of agents which lasted around five hours, until specialist officers from the GOES managed to gain access to the apartment at around 6:30am and restrain the man, who was alone in the property and had placed a fridge behind the front door to prevent the police from entering.

The officers were also assisted by Benalmádena fire brigade, who deployed a safety cushion in the street when the suspect threatened to jump from the balcony. There was significant damage to the property, communal areas of the building, and vehicles parked below. Fortunately, no personal injuries were reported.