Tragedy Strikes as Building Collapse in Madrid Claims Four Lives
A six-story building in central Madrid collapsed during renovations, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including construction workers and the project architect. Local emergency services confirmed the recovery of the victims’ bodies on Wednesday, nearly 15 hours after the incident occurred.
Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Almeida announced the news via social media, expressing deep sorrow over the loss. The victims were identified as three men, aged between 30 and 50, from Ecuador, Mali, and Guinea-Conakry, who were employed as construction workers. The fourth victim was a 30-year-old woman serving as the architect for the renovation project.
Rescue operations involved police and firefighters utilizing drones and sniffer dogs to comb through the rubble. The site, which had remained largely intact on the exterior, experienced a severe failure of its interior structure. Three other workers sustained injuries during the collapse.
One of the workers, identified only as Mikhail, was pumping concrete into the building’s lower levels when the collapse occurred. He recounted a harrowing escape, describing a “large cloud of dust” that engulfed the area: “I was the first to run. I didn’t care about anything else. I’ll save my life first and, if I can, save others later,” he stated to reporters.
The building, constructed in 1965, had undergone technical inspections in 2012 and 2022, both of which deemed its condition “unfavorable.” Concerns were raised regarding the facade, exterior, partition walls, roof, roof terraces, and plumbing systems.
Located near the famous opera house and royal palace, the former office building was in the process of being converted into a four-star hotel by developer Rehbilita. According to the developer’s website, the renovation had been approved by municipal authorities in December 2024, with an anticipated completion timeframe of two years.
The property is owned by RSR, a Saudi-based investment fund specializing in high-end hotels and tourist apartments in Spain and Portugal. RSR acquired the building for €24.5 million (approximately $28.5 million) in 2022. As of now, Rehbilita has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
The collapse highlights ongoing concerns about construction safety standards in urban environments, particularly regarding older buildings undergoing renovations. Investigations are expected to follow as authorities seek to determine the precise cause of the collapse and assess any potential regulatory failures.
