Marbella nightclub: Irishman among four shot

Police in Spain have said an Irish man is in intensive care after being shot in the chest during an early morning incident at a club in Marbella.

A spokesman for Spain’s National Police in Malaga confirmed a 32-year-old Irishman was one of two people in intensive care after he was shot in the chest.

He was rushed to hospital after being hit after 1am during a DJ set at the Opium Beach Club.

At least four other people were also injured in the incident.

A woman was reportedly seen by witnesses at the well-known seaside location just outside of Marbella town, laying on the ground and seemed to be dead.

Despite initial unsubstantiated reports suggesting one of the gunshot victims died from their injuries, police said they were not aware of any deaths.

A official added that the suspect, a Dutch national who had been stabbed in the head and chest after reportedly discharging his gun into the crowded club, had been apprehended.

Five persons were hurt in the gunshot incident at Opium in Marbella, the Spanish National Police confirmed in a statement.

"Four people have been shot, and one of them is seriously hurt. The guy who is thought to be the shooter had head and chest wounds.

"He was detained by the police after being arrested. Police are still looking into the matter.

Four shots were fired and there was a panic from the packed dance floor as at least one person could be heard saying: "I heard gunfire."

The shooting is thought to have taken place amid a brawl between two groups of partygoers in the beach club's VIP area after a guy was earlier kicked out by bouncers.

He is said to have returned a short while later to confront the shooter, who pulled out a firearm in response to being stabbed and missed his intended target with the gunshot.

Two of the casualties, an Irish man and a lady, are currently receiving intensive care in a local hospital, according to a spokesman for Spain's National Police in Malaga.

"The alleged shooter is still in the hospital."

Five persons have been admitted to the hospital as a result of the incident that occurred at the Marbella beach club overnight, according to a source at the Costa del Sol Hospital.

His condition is not critical, but doctors are keeping an eye on him and are awaiting the results of additional testing.

"Another 18-year-old man gets shot in the left hip. Again, his health is not critical, but additional test results are still awaited.

"A 36-year-old man has a gunshot wound to his back. His state is not critical.

The source continued, "A 32-year-old woman received gunshot wounds and has trauma injuries to her abdomen and pelvic area. She is believed to be the Irish national as well as the woman who was lying on the ground at Opium Beach Club. She underwent surgery and is currently receiving intensive care.

Police have not released the Irish man's name, and it was not immediately clear whether he was a local resident or on vacation.

Also unknown is whether he was a VIP partygoer caught up in the altercation that resulted in the shooting or was an innocent bystander who got caught in the crossfire.