On Thursday evening May 23, a tragic building collapse occurred at a two-storey restaurant on the beach in Palma de Mallorca. The incident has claimed at least four lives and injured 16 others in this popular tourist destination in the Balearic Islands, according to the national police.

Details of the Collapse

The victims of the collapse include one man and three women, one of whom was an employee at the restaurant according to sources on the scene. Seven of the injured are reported to be in very serious condition. The main theory for the collapse is excessive weight on the terrace although the investigation is still underway. One of the victims was a young man who had stopped by for his daily coffee after leaving the gym. Tragically, a friend of his who worked at the restaurant also died in the collapse.

Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts

Authorities requested silence from the public to assist in listening for any possible survivors still trapped under the rubble. The collapse, which occurred around 8:30 pm, saw the first floor of the building crash down onto the ground floor, which then collapsed into the basement, trapping several people. Eder García, the chief of Palma’s fire department, stated that most of the affected individuals are ‘middle-aged foreigners of various nationalities.’ He reiterated that the primary cause being considered is the overloading of the terrace.

Efforts to locate survivors included the use of drones and continued late into the night. Local police have urged onlookers to stay on the beach and maintain silence to aid the rescue teams. Adjacent hospitality venues were evacuated, and the area was sealed off to prevent interference with the rescue operations.

Continúan los servicios de emergencia en primera línea de Playa de Palma en la que se ha producido el derrumbe de la primera planta de un beach club. pic.twitter.com/qIi5uyU6Gt

— Lucía Bohórquez (@Lucia_Bohorquez) May 23, 2024

A Dramatic Rescue

Among the dramatic rescues, a young man with a broken arm was pulled from the rubble late in the evening. A moment that brought some relief to the anxious families gathered nearby. Palma’s mayor, Jaime Martínez, was present at the site to oversee the rescue efforts.

Prime Minister’s Response

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences on social media, saying he is closely monitoring the situation and has assured that the government is ready to provide all necessary resources and personnel. He conveyed his sympathy to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.