Neighbours pay tribute to British father and two children who drowned in Costa del Sol resort

• Video report by ITV News Reporter Martha Fairlie

Neighbours have paid tribute to the British father and his two children who drowned in a swimming pool at a holiday resort in the Costa del Sol.

Gabriel Diya, 52, his daughter Comfort Diya, 9, and his son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16, are understood to have died in the triple tragedy on Christmas Eve.

Reports suggest Comfort struggled in the water before her brother and father jumped in, in a failed attempt to rescue her.

Another daughter who was not harmed told Spanish police none of the three were able to swim, according to Spanish daily newspaper El Pais.

Mr Diya was a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in London.

On its Facebook page, the church paid tribute to their pastor, saying: "With heavy hearts, we extend our condolences to the family, parish, friends and associates of Area Pastor Gabriel Diya who sadly passed away, along with two of his children - Comfort Diya (9 years old) and Praise Emmanuel Diya (16 years old).

"At this very difficult time, our prayers are for Pastor Gabriel Diya's family, the parishes that were under his supervision, friends, associates, members of RCCG and the general public."

A neighbour of the Diya family said she was "really devastated" to learn of the deaths of Mr Diya and two of his children.

Speaking outside her home in Charlton, Lara Akins said: "I still can't comprehend it, it's still shocking."

The 59-year-old described the family, who she said had lived in the south-east London close for around 10 years, as "very religious, very friendly, very humble".

She added: "They are so nice, that is why everybody is shocked."

She said she was still looking after Christmas presents dropped off by friends while the family were away.

"They know we are very friendly with each other," she added.

Neighbour Mohsin Sharif said the Diya family would on rare occasions come into his own family's nearby convenience store.

The 28-year-old said he would some times "smile and wave" at Mr Diya's wife outside their homes.

"I'm really feeling sad," he said.

Praising his local customers, he added: "It's a good community, they speak to each other."

Emma Morris, 38, daughter of another neighbour of the Diyas, said her mother Pauline Morris, 64, knew them as "really nice people".

She said: "They were just a really nice family, they spoke to everyone here."It's so sad, it's such a shame."

Mr Diya's Facebook account lists him as a manager of Open Heavens London, a Christian religious group with origins in Nigeria, based in Charlton, south-east London.

It is understood Mr Diya and his daughter are both British, while his son is American.

The three family members were found unresponsive in a swimming pool at Club La Costa World on Christmas Eve, a statement from holiday operator CLC World Resorts and Hotels said.

The incident occurred after the nine-year-old girl got into difficulties in the water and her brother, 16, and father, 52, attempted to rescue her, it has been reported.

According to Spanish journalist Fernando Torres, police divers on Tuesday found nothing wrong in the pool but investigations continue.

It is believed the divers have been inspecting the pool and its pump, but so far it is not known what caused the tragedy.

Mr Torres added a janitor, who he says was the first to jump into the pool to rescue them, found it difficult to get back out.

Operator CLC World Resorts and Hotels said in a statement: "The Guardia Civil have carried out a full investigation which found no concerns relating to the pool in question or procedures in place, which leaves us to believe this was a tragic accident which has left everyone surrounding the incident in shock.

"Naturally, our primary concern remains the care and support of the remaining family members; we would therefore request that their privacy be respected at this traumatic time."

A holidaymaker staying at the resort, which is near the town of Fuengirola, said she saw "bodies covered in white sheets" by the side of the pool, and could hear "a woman crying aloud".

Tanya Aamer, 23, from Birmingham, said: "The atmosphere as I was walking past is indescribable.

"Obviously we've never been in that situation before so we kind just began walking slowly in a slight state of confusion as to what we're witnessing and eventually when we got to the bottom it was just silent, no talking or anything."

CLC World Resorts and Hotels said management were assisting the authorities "fully" with an investigation into the deaths at the resort.

The statement said: "Management at Club La Costa World resort would like to offer its heartfelt condolences to the family affected by the loss of three family members on December 24 2019.

"The guests were found unresponsive in one of the resort's pools.

"First response teams and emergency services attended and administered first aid.

"The management are assisting the authorities fully with their investigation into the deaths.

"We would like to thank our first response team and the emergency services for their quick and appropriate responses, and our staff for the continuing support of the family at this difficult time."

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are offering assistance to a British woman following an incident in Spain."