Image source, AFP via Getty Images
- author, Sofia Ferreira Santos
- Role, BBC News
- Report from London
-
Four people were killed and 16 others were injured after a two-storey building collapsed on the Spanish island of Mallorca, local emergency services said.
Several people are believed to be trapped at the site of Medusa Beach Club, a beachfront restaurant on Cartago Street in the regional capital Palma de Mallorca.
The incident reportedly occurred at approximately 20:30 local time (19:30 GMT). There are fears that a number of people may be trapped among the debris.
Emergency services told local media that they were finalizing rescue operations and securing the area shortly after midnight local time.
The facility’s floor collapsed Thursday evening, causing people to fall into the basement, where customers and employees were also located.
El Pais newspaper reported that Palma’s fire chief, Eder Garcia, told local media that most of those affected by the collapse were foreigners and tourists.
A local police spokesman told reporters that the balcony may have collapsed due to the excessive weight placed on it, but stressed that the exact cause was still under investigation.
A man was recovered from the rubble with a broken arm, and rescue services are working on the assumption that there are more people trapped. Officials asked onlookers to remain silent to allow them to hear the voices of survivors.
The mayor of Palma, Jaime Martinez, is said to have traveled to the scene with the deputy mayor of tourism.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sent his condolences to the families of the victims.
He said that he is closely following all recent developments, and that his government is ready to send all the required assistance.
Image source, Getty Images
Balearic Islands President Marja Bruhinz said she was shocked by the incident and sent her condolences to the families of the victims.
Ms Bruhinz thanked the emergency services, as well as Mr Sanchez for his support.
Mallorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
Last year, more than 17 million people visited the island.
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