Four people have died and dozens have been left injured after a building collapsed at a beach resort in Majorca this evening.
Around one hundred emergency responders have raced to the scene of the incident, identified locally as a beach bar in Playa de Palma called the Medusa Beach Club.
A terrace of the two-storey building is believed to have collapsed through ‘to the basement’ of the building, leaving only the façade still standing, according to local media.
As many as ten people are still believed to be trapped inside the rubble as desperate rescue operations continue, with psychology experts brought in to support victims traumatised by the horrific events.
‘The number of dead now stands at four and the number of injured at 27 and there may still be more people trapped under rubble,’ a well-placed source said.
Local media reported that several tourists had tried to enter the premises because they suspected friends were inside.
The bar is understood to be popular with British tourists, although it is not known whether any were affected.
Fire teams scramble to help injured after the first floor of a club collapsed ‘to the basement’
Horrific scenes show rescue workers attempting to pull survivors from the building
A floor of the popular restaurant and beach club collapsed earlier this evening
At least four people are believed to be dead, with dozens injured in the carnage
The floor of the premises caved in around 8:45pm local time (7:45 BST) on Thursday, according to Catalan news outlet Rac 1, claiming the floor had ‘collapsed to the basement’ with many customers and staff still inside.
Neighbours said they heard a loud noise followed by screams coming from the venue as the building collapsed, The Sun reported.
First analyses suggest one of the terraces of the building may have collapsed, dragging the rest of the property down in on itself, according to La Vanguardia.
Authorities were forced to call a crane company to help lift debris from the two-storey building with the extent of the casualties still unknown.
But there remain fears that efforts to remove the rubble could cause the remaining front of the building to topple back into itself.
Emergency services remained on the scene through dusk and into nightfall, working tirelessly to recover bodies and survivors, with seven so far reported to have been found in ‘critical condition’.
One of the people killed has been named locally as Abdoulaye Diop, a Senegalese migrant living in Majorca and working as a nightclub doorman who in 2017 saved a man who was drowning in the sea at Playa de Palma.
At least seven fire engines were on site to assist rescue efforts, ladders lowered to provide access into the building.
And ambulance steamed towards the site, with local media reporting the carnage was given ‘absolute priority’.
Authorities have also called on psychologists from the Official College of Psychology of the Balearic Islands to assist, as traumatised victims are pulled from the wreckage.
The injured are currently being evacuated through the back of the restaurant, facing Trasimé Street, where the injured are being treated.
Others have been taken to local hospital centres in Majorca, according to La Vanguardia.
Police sources have put the number of injured at at least 27.
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.’
Playa de Palma is the beach area lying to the east of the Majorcan capital. It is especially popular with British and German holidaymakers.
It was not clear from initial reports whether any British or German tourists had been injured in the collapse.
File photo. The Playa de Palma beach in S’Arenal in Mallorca, Spain
Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Emergency services have not yet shared the identities of all of the deceased, and have neither confirmed nor denied whether tourists were involved.
Marga Prohens, president of the Balearic Islands, wrote on Twitter/X: ‘Shocked by the information I received about the collapse of Platja de Palma.
‘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.
‘Thanks to all the emergency services that have moved to the scene and continue to work there.’