Four dead with people ‘trapped under rubble’ after Majorca building collapse
At least four people died and about thirty were injured after the upper floor of a bar and restaurant collapsed in the popular Majorca tourist resort of Palma Beach.
Emergency teams including firefighters, ambulances and police arrived at the scene at around 8.30pm on Thursday.
Local reports suggested that at least one floor of the Medusa Beach Club gave way and collapsed to the ground, trapping customers having dinner or drinks at the venue.
Attempts to reach victims continued into the night and the local police asked people to stand back and keep noise to a minimum so that rescue workers could hear sounds from survivors who remained under the rubble.
Local reports said injured victims are being treated in various hospitals, with nine described as seriously injured.
The Foreign Office confirmed there were no reports of British nationals being involved in the incident.
No cause has been given for the collapse of the building.
Palma Beach is a busy resort area of the Majorcan capital with a large number of bars and nightclubs, popular with German and British tourists.
Raul Pursnami, owner of a fashion store next to the affected premises, was quoted by the Spanish newspaper El País as saying that a loud noise accompanied the collapse. “I was leaving the premises and everything has fallen down, it’s a shame.
“Theoretically, an inspection has to be done every year. We are terribly affected; I can’t talk, they were my neighbours.”
Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s prime minister, responded to the roof collapse in Majorca and pledged to provide state resources to help.
“I am closely following the consequences of the terrible collapse that occurred on the beach of Palma,” Mr Sanchez said on X.
He added that he had spoken to local and regional authorities, adding the government is ready to help “with all the means and troops that are necessary.”
“I want to send my condolences to the families of the deceased and my wish for a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.
Pictures showed the injured being removed from the rubble on stretchers and people hugging near the scene.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident in Palma, and there are currently no reports of British nationals having been involved. We remain in contact with the Spanish authorities.”
01:14 AM BST
The search continues
Emergency teams are still searching the rubble in Palma Beach.
So far four people are dead and at least 30 are injured, including 16 who are seriously hurt.
We’re ending our live coverage of the story now – but check back here for the latest updates throughout the night.
12:06 AM BST
Police plead for quiet as they search the rubble
Emergency crews are finalising search and rescue operations and securing the area, a spokesperson for the local police told radio station RNE around midnight local time (11pm UK).
“That is why now we ask you silence because we need silence to see if we hear someone,” he said, adding that he could not rule out that someone was still trapped.
“The terrace has come down, probably due to excessive weight,” he said, adding that the causes are still being investigated.
11:11 PM BST
No reports of Britons killed or hurt
The Foreign Office has confirmed there are no reports of British nationals being involved in the incident.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident in Palma, and there are currently no reports of British nationals having been involved. We remain in contact with the Spanish authorities.”
11:10 PM BST
Two floors may have collapsed
According to local reports, both the upper floor and the ground floor of the restaurant collapsed down onto the building’s basement.
Four people are confirmed to have died, with seven described as very seriously injured and nine more seriously injured.
The injured have been taken to various hospitals in the Palma area.
Raul Pursnami, owner of a fashion store next to the affected premises, was quoted by the Spanish newspaper El País as saying that a loud noise accompanied the collapse. “I was leaving the premises and everything has fallen down, it’s a shame.
“Theoretically, an inspection has to be done every year. We are terribly affected; I can’t talk, they were my neighbours.”
11:06 PM BST
Spanish PM: The government is ready to help
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, has responded to the roof collapse in Majorca and pledge to provide state resources to help.
“I am closely following the consequences of the terrible collapse that occurred on the beach of Palma,” Mr Sanchez said on X.
The prime minister added that he had spoken to local and regional authorities, adding the government is ready to help “with all the means and troops that are necessary.”
“I want to send my condolences to the families of the deceased and my wish for a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.
10:49 PM BST
Area popular with German and British tourists
Palma Beach is a busy resort area of the Majorcan capital with a large number of bars and nightclubs, popular with German and British tourists.
Authorities have not provided any information regarding the identities of those who have died.
10:47 PM BST
People ‘trapped under rubble’
Survivors are thought to be trapped under the rubble following the collapse, with emergency crews carrying out rescue operations into the night.
10:38 PM BST
First floor of beach club ‘gave way’
Local reports suggest that the first floor of the Medusa Beach Club gave way and collapsed onto the ground floor, trapping customers having dinner or drinks at the venue.
Attempts to reach victims are continuing into the night and the local police have asked people to stand back and keep noise to a minimum so that rescue workers can hear sounds from survivors who remain under the rubble.
10:33 PM BST
Accident occurred at restaurant near beach, reports say
The accident occurred in the city of Palma on the Mediterranean island popular with tourists.
The two-storey building was a restaurant near the beach, Spanish news agency EFE and other media said.
10:32 PM BST
Pictured: People removed from building on stretchers
10:29 PM BST
Welcome to our live coverage
We’re bringing you the latest updates on a two-storey building collapse in Majorca.
Four people are so far confirmed dead and at least another 27 are reported to be injured.
