A BRITISH businessman has died after becoming trapped in a spa following an explosion that set the building on fire, an inquest has heard.
Anthony Barnes, 48, was on a business trip with colleagues at the five-star Jaal Riad resort in Morocco when the room he was in filled with thick, black smoke.
The director arrived at the resort on March 22, 2023, for a “work celebration event”, according to an inquest.
At around 3 p.m. that day, Mr Barnes arrived for his massage in the hotel spa — leaving his colleagues to relax by the pool.
About an hour later, his friends noticed staff rush to the spa as plumes of black smoke shot into the air.
Unable to locate Anthony outside, his colleagues made their way to the building’s front door, the inquest heard.
Subsequent investigations revealed a small explosion had gone off inside the spa, causing an outbreak of fire and smoke, coroner Caroline Jones said.
After around 20 minutes, emergency services arrived and fire crews tried to enter the building but “struggled to gain access and did not seem to have adequate breathing equipment”, Ms Jones added.
At around 5:30 p.m., Anthony was carried out on a stretcher and tragically declared dead later that day.
There is no indication of foul play, and the explosion is thought to have been an accident, the inquest heard.
Anthony was found to have died from smoke inhalation linked to an underlying and undiagnosed coronary artery disease.
“In the opinion of the pathologist, the fact of Anthony’s underlying and seemingly undiagnosed coronary artery disease may have been clinically significant in the setting of smoke inhalation in an environment of reduced oxygen,” the coroner wrote.
His death was determined to be an accident.
In a heartfelt statement after his death, his company, the ONE Group, said: “It is with the greatest sadness that we share the news that Anthony Barnes, Director and co-owner of The ONE Group has died in a tragic accident whilst on an overseas business trip.
“Ant’s dedication and commitment to the business over the last 20 years has formed extensive relationships internally and externally.
“We know many of you would consider yourselves friends as well as business associates and will be as shocked and saddened as we are.
“His loss will be deeply felt by everyone who knew him.”
It comes just days after a British tourist was found dead on the Belize island of Caye Caulker just one day after checking into his hotel for what was meant to be a dream holiday.
The 52-year-old man had arrived on the island on Monday and checked into the Casa Vista Hotel.
Less than 24 hours later, neighbours reported hearing a loud thud outside the accommodation.
When they rushed to investigate, they found the man lying unconscious on the ground.
He was quickly taken to the Caye Caulker Health Center.
Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
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