Tragedy Strikes Madrid: Four Dead in Building Collapse During Renovation

In a tragic incident on Tuesday, four individuals lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries when a building undergoing renovation collapsed in the heart of Madrid. The accident, which occurred around 1 PM, has sent shockwaves through the community as emergency workers recovered four bodies from the rubble in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The deceased have been identified as three construction workers hailing from Ecuador, Mali, and Guinea Conakry, aged between 30 and 50, alongside a 30-year-old architect involved in the renovation project. All were employed by the construction company ANKA, as reported by local media. According to Madrid's Mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the incident was caused by the collapse of the building's top floor, which led to a domino effect, resulting in the floors beneath also caving in. Fortunately, the facade of the six-story structure held up, limiting debris from spilling into the street below. Emergency responders utilized sniffer dogs and drones in their search and rescue efforts. Among the injured, one worker suffered a fractured leg, while the other injuries are not considered life-threatening. The local government has initiated an investigation into the collapse, with Madrid's municipal police leading the probe, classifying it as a workplace accident. Alarmingly, this incident sheds light on the building's history, as records indicate it had received unfavorable technical inspections in both 2012 and 2022 due to concerns regarding its facade, exterior partition walls, and plumbing systems. Originally constructed in 1965, the building was being converted into a hotel when the disaster struck. Despite the renovation project having the required permits and documentation, questions surrounding safety protocols have risen following the unfortunate event. As the city grapples with this catastrophe, our thoughts are with the victims' families and the injured as investigations continue to uncover further details about this tragic accident. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2