Forty Wedding Guests Fall Ill in Suspected Food Poisoning Outbreak in Malaga
Dozens of attendees at a hotel reception reported symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, prompting an investigation by health officials.
Forty wedding guests experienced symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting following a reception at the Hotel Estival Torrequebrada in Benalmadena, Malaga, on Saturday, October 10. Health officials have launched an investigation into a suspected foodborne illness outbreak.
Attendees reported suffering from diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, with some also experiencing fever, according to the Junta de Andalucia's health delegation in Malaga. While affected guests sought medical attention at local hospitals, none required admission. Inspectors from the Health Protection Unit are conducting checks to determine the source of the outbreak, though the precise cause remains unconfirmed.
This incident echoes a similar event in 2024, where a wedding reception in Cuernavaca, Mexico, resulted in over 100 guests falling ill, leading to 80 hospital admissions. Attendees at that event reported symptoms including headaches, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. One guest recalled a potential link to wild mushrooms served as an appetizer, noting a strong chemical aftertaste.
Footage shared on social media depicted paramedics and attendees assisting sick guests, with some individuals shown receiving intravenous treatment in hospital beds. The menu at the Mexican wedding included wild mushroom appetizers, beet carpaccio, chicken breast or beef fillet as main courses, and various dessert options. Both male and female guests were affected, despite apparent differences in food served to each gender.