A two-storey restaurant building collapsed on the beach in Palma de Mallorca on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuring 16 others in the popular tourist destination of Spain’s Balearic Islands, according to the country’s national police.
Emergency services reported that 7 people sustained “very serious” injuries, while 9 others were seriously injured and transported to various hospitals in Palma. Search and rescue operations are underway, with emergency crews working diligently to secure the area, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the local police in an interview with radio station RNE late Thursday night.
“We ask for silence as we need it to detect any potential survivors,” the spokesperson stated, expressing the possibility of individuals still being trapped beneath the rubble.
The collapse, believed to be caused by excessive weight, primarily affected the restaurant’s terrace. Investigations into the incident’s causes are ongoing, with initial reports suggesting the collapse occurred around 8 pm local time.
Firefighters and police forces swiftly responded to the scene, with emergency services deploying psychologists to assist those affected by the tragedy.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his concern over the incident, stating, “I am closely following the consequences of the terrible collapse that occurred on the beach of Palma.” He assured that the government stands ready to provide assistance “with all the means and troops that are necessary,” extending condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Spanish state-owned broadcaster TVE provided visuals of firefighters working to clear areas of the Medusa Beach Club in Palma, accompanied by the presence of ambulances on the scene late into the night.
