A building under construction in central Madrid collapses.

MadridA building under construction has partially collapsed in the heart of Madrid, specifically on Hileras Street, which runs from Plaza de la Ópera to Puerta del Sol. According to the Spanish government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, at least ten workers were injured—only one seriously—and efforts are underway to search for possible missing persons using drones and dog patrols. Specifically, Martín explained that four people are currently missing in the accident, although it is unclear whether they were inside or outside the building at the time of the collapse. The seriously injured person has already been taken to the hospital with a broken leg.

The abandoned site was being renovated to build a hotel, and there is still a risk that it could completely collapse. For this reason, the area has been completely cordoned off, and technical services are currently assessing the extent to which the accident could have affected adjacent buildings. The collapse occurred just after 1:00 p.m. and wreaked havoc in the center of the Spanish capital. The building is located in the center of Madrid, next to Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. Sixteen firefighters from the Madrid City Council are currently working at the scene. A judicial police officer has already arrived at Hileras Street.

A construction worker explained to the media that the building's façade was not affected by the collapse. Furthermore, despite this being his first day on this project, he specified that more than one company was working on the renovation this morning. He doesn't miss his colleagues.

The witnesses

Milagros owns a hair salon right across from the building that collapsed and witnessed the events. "There was a horrible bang, and the windows shattered. I saw sand falling from top to bottom, and suddenly, white powder," she explains. Emergency personnel and the municipal police immediately arrived and evacuated her due to the risk of the building collapsing. The building was empty inside because it was undergoing renovations and they were planning to build a four-star hotel, she says. The work had begun six months earlier and was expected to last two years. Lucas, meanwhile, lives on Arenal Street, perpendicular to Hileras, and can't get past the police cordon because he doesn't have any identification. "I have to wait, I understand," he says, resignedly.

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