In a tragic accident emergency crews have recovered the bodies of four people after a six-storey building under renovation collapsed in central Madrid.
The structure, which was being converted into a hotel, gave way late Tuesday evening, leaving its façade largely intact while the internal skeleton of the building fell inward.
The victims have been identified as three male construction workers, from Ecuador, Mali and Guinea-Conakry (aged between 30 and 50), and a 30-year-old female architect who was overseeing the project.
The rescue operation, which involved firefighters, police units, sniffer dogs and drones, continued into the night until the last remains were recovered early Wednesday — approximately 15 hours after the collapse.
At least three other workers suffered injuries in the collapse. According to local media, one of the workers, named Mikhail, was pumping concrete on lower floors at the time and was outside when the building collapsed. He said he saw “a large cloud of dust” and immediately ran to safety. “I was the first to run — I didn’t care about anything else,” he told reporters. “I’ll save my life first and, if I can, save others later.”
The building dates back to 1965 and had been classified in unfavourable condition in municipal registers. Technical inspections in 2012 and 2022 cited concerns about its façade, partition walls, plumbing, roof terraces and sewage systems. Despite these warnings, approval was granted for conversion of the structure into a four-star hotel by developer Rehbilita in December 2024. The renovation had been scheduled to run for two years.
The property is owned by RSR, a Saudi-based real estate fund specializing in upscale hotels and tourist apartments in Spain and Portugal. RSR acquired the building in 2022 for €24.5 million (about $28.5 million), according to public records. Municipal authorities and residents alike are now questioning how permission was granted for the overhaul, given the known structural risks.
Mayor José Luis Almeida expressed his sorrow and extended condolences, tweeting that Madrid firefighters had confirmed the recovery of those missing in the collapse. Local government officials have pledged a full investigation. Early indications suggest that the collapse occurred when internal supports gave way, though precise cause—whether due to overloading, weakening of internal supports, or failures during renovation—remains under review.
The collapse occurred in an area close to Madrid’s opera house and the royal palace, a zone frequented by tourists and busy foot traffic. Fortunately, there were no reports of harm to passersby. The building’s façade remained standing, shielding the surrounding streets from wider collapse.
In the immediate aftermath, members of the public expressed shock and concern. A local shopkeeper, whose store is nearby, said she heard a “deep rumble, like thunder,” and when she ran to the street, she saw “dust, broken glass everywhere, people running.” Another resident reported that he smelled gas and feared an explosion but said no fire broke out. Firefighters confirmed there was no blaze.
City officials are now under pressure to review existing safety processes for historic and aging buildings undergoing major renovation. Madrid’s building registry had already flagged this structure as “unfavourable,” raising questions about enforcement of safety measures and monitoring during work.
In the coming days, investigators from municipal planning departments, building safety agencies, and possibly Spain’s Interior Ministry are expected to collaborate in reconstructing the chronology of events. Sources suggest that structural engineers will sift through debris, analyze renovation plans, and examine whether the contractor followed approved blueprints or deviated under schedule or cost pressures.
The families of the deceased are expected to receive support from municipal authorities and legal avenues will likely be pursued. Meanwhile, the tragedy has reignited public debate over the safety of old buildings in dense urban cores and the oversight of renovation projects in Spain’s capital — especially in high-profile zones close to cultural and heritage landmarks.
As Madrid picks up the pieces, authorities say they will aim for transparency. But many residents and industry observers are watching closely: one collapse may reflect deeper systemic weaknesses in how older, neglected structures are managed when new ambitions are grafted onto them.
Click here for more News & Current Affairs at EU Today
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
