Rescue crews search for survivors as 4 dead and 16 injured after building collapses at tourist hotspot in Majorca
23 May 2024, 21:39 | Updated: 24 May 2024, 06:27
Rescue crews are scrambling to save survivors after four people were killed and 16 injured after a building collapsed on a beach in Majorca, emergency services have said.
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An area of the Medusa Beach Club in Palma collapsed at about 8.30pm local time on Thursday. The area is popular with tourists.
The first floor reportedly collapsed onto the ground floor.
Public television for the Balearic Islands, IB3, reported there were people dancing on a terrace that collapsed on top of another floor underneath.
A spokesman for a regional emergency response coordination centre said: “We have activated an emergency response as a result of the collapse of the ceiling of a two-storey building in Avenida Cartago in Playa de Palma, where people are trapped.”
Humphrey Carter from the Majorca Daily Bulletin told LBC: “[There's a] massive police presence, ambulances, it’s been a complete shock - a huge shock. I mean the Balearic president’s been down there, it’s really taken everyone completely by surprise. It’s quite a serious accident, it’s shocked everyone in Majorca.”
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Photos taken at the scene show emergency services evacuating people from the building, with some being carried out on stretchers to ambulances waiting outside.
The Foreign Office says there aren't any reports of British people caught up in the incident last night.
Humphrey Carter's from the Majorca Daily Bulletin and told LBC it's rocked the local community.
"There's a massive police presence, ambulances.
He added it's been a "huge shock" which has taken "everyone by surprise".
Marga Prohens, President of the Balearic Islands, wrote on X: “Shocked by the information I received about the collapse of Platja de Palma.
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“Sending all my affection and warmth to the families of the four people who lost their lives in this tragic incident and wishing the recovery of all the injured.”
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, wrote on X: “I am closely following the consequences of the terrible landslide that occurred on the beach of Palma.”
He added: “I want to send my condolences to the families of the deceased and my wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.”
No cause has been given for the collapse of the building.
Emergency services are continuing to search the site and attend the wounded.
