A six-year-old girl has died after being thrown 45 feet (13m) into the air when a bouncy castle exploded at a restaurant in northeast Spain.

The girl was playing on the inflatable with six other children behind the Mas Oller restaurant outside the city of Girona on Sunday afternoon.

She suffered serious injuries and died a few hours later in the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital.

The six other boys and girls, aged between three and 11, were also injured.

A nine-year-old boy was one of three taken to hospital by helicopter, while a seven-year-old girl is reported to be in a stable condition after undergoing surgery. Both are said to have suffered multiple injuries.


Image: The accident occurred at a restaurant near Girona, in northeast Spain

Four other children, including a seven-year-old, suffered minor injuries such as cuts and bruises.

It is understood a valve failed on the inflatable and pressure built up, causing the explosion. The children were sent high into the air before crashing down onto tarmac or grass.

Parts of the bouncy castle reached the roof of the restaurant and some debris was found more than 120 feet (37m) away.

Parents of the injured children were having their lunch as they played on the inflatable.

Seven ambulances and two helicopters as well as police and five fire crews attended the scene, just outside the town of Caldes de Malavella.

Some customers in the restaurant said they heard "a loud bang" just before the castle rose off the ground.

The Mayor of Caldes de Malavella Salvador Balliu said the bouncy castle was new and described the explosion as "very, very strong".

Investigators have collected the remains of the inflatable and the motor for analysis and will also assess whether it was properly anchored.

It is reported the restaurant's owner, Jaume Matas, who was not present at the time, confirmed the inflatable castle was new and had been in use for less than two months, having opened on 14 March.