Four dead after six-storey building partially collapses in Madrid

A tragic incident unfolded in the heart of Madrid as a six-storey building undergoing refurbishment partially collapsed, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The building, located on Hileras Street, was being converted into a four-star hotel when the disaster struck. Madrid’s mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, confirmed that the bodies of the last two missing persons were recovered on Wednesday morning, approximately 15 hours after the collapse. The victims included a 30-year-old Spanish woman overseeing the project and three male workers from Mali, Guinea, and Ecuador, aged between 30 and 50. Three others sustained injuries in the incident. Emergency services, equipped with drones and sniffer dogs, conducted extensive search and rescue operations. Two bodies were retrieved on Tuesday night. Martinez-Almeida expressed his condolences, stating, “All our love and support go to their families, friends, and colleagues in this very difficult time.” A construction worker recounted escaping the scene after witnessing a massive dust cloud. Despite the internal collapse, the building’s façade remained intact. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the collapse. The developer, Rehbilita, described the renovation as “comprehensive” on its website.