Four construction workers were killed and at least six others injured on Tuesday afternoon when a five-story building undergoing renovation collapsed in central Madrid. The incident occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. local time on Calle de Alcalá, near the Atocha train station, a busy area of the Spanish capital.
Emergency services, including firefighters and paramedics, rushed to the scene to search for survivors and attend to the casualties trapped beneath the rubble. The Madrid municipal government confirmed the deaths and injuries, noting that one of the injured was in serious condition.
Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón addressed the media at the site, expressing his condolences to the victims’ families and emphasizing the priority of the rescue efforts. He indicated that an investigation would be launched to determine the precise cause of the structural failure.
“The most important thing right now is to clarify exactly what happened and to complete the rescue efforts,” Mayor Ruiz-Gallardón stated. “We will conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of this tragic collapse.”
Preliminary reports suggest that the collapse may have been an internal structural failure, involving floors and internal walls, possibly exacerbated by the ongoing renovation work. Witnesses described hearing a loud roar before parts of the building gave way, sending debris into the street.
Esperanza Aguirre, the head of the regional government of Madrid, also visited the scene to oversee the emergency response and offer support. She confirmed that all available resources were being deployed to assist those affected.
The area surrounding the collapsed building was cordoned off as rescue teams continued their meticulous search for any additional victims, working late into the night. The incident has prompted a city-wide review of safety protocols for construction and renovation projects.
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