Medusa Beach Club collapse leaves several trapped as rescue operations continue in Palma de Majorca
Four people died and 16 sustained injuries when a two-story building collapsed on the Spanish island of Majorca. The local emergency services confirmed the tragic incident occurred at the Medusa Beach Club, a popular beachside restaurant on Cartago Street in Palma de Majorca. The collapse happened around 20:30 local time (19:30 BST) on Thursday night, and rescue operations continued past midnight.
Several individuals remain trapped under the rubble, with fears that more victims could be found. Emergency services are working tirelessly to finalize rescue efforts and secure the area. Psychological experts will assist those traumatized by the incident.
The building’s floor collapsed, causing patrons and staff to fall into the basement below, which was also occupied. One firefighter described the scene as “nightmarish,” noting the chaos and distress as people cried and screamed amidst the debris. Palma Fire Chief Eder García reported that most victims were foreigners and tourists, according to El Pais.
The UK Foreign Office has not confirmed if any British nationals are involved, stating, “We are aware of an incident in Palma, and there are currently no reports of British nationals having been involved. We remain in contact with the Spanish authorities.” The local police suggested that excess weight might have caused the balcony to collapse but emphasized that the exact cause remains under investigation.
One man was rescued with a broken arm, and rescue services continue to assume that more people are trapped. Officials urged onlookers to remain silent to help rescuers hear survivors’ voices. Palma Mayor Jaime Martínez and the deputy mayor of tourism visited the scene to offer support.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured that his government is closely monitoring the situation and ready to provide any necessary assistance. Marga Prohens, President of the Balearic Islands, also sent her condolences and thanked emergency services and Mr. Sánchez for their support.
Majorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is a major tourist destination. Over 17 million visitors came to the island last year, highlighting the significant impact of this tragic event on the local community and its international visitors.
