Emergency services rushed to the scene at Medusa Beach Club in the popular tourist resort of Playa de Palma in Majorca as reports suggest tourists have been looking for missing friends and family
Two people have died and up to ten people are feared trapped following a building collapse at a Majorcan beach resort.
Emergency responders including police and firefighters have raced to the scene of the incident, identified locally as a terrace at a beach bar in Playa de Palma called the Medusa Beach Club.
The number of dead officially rose to two last night and officials are confirming up to 14 people have been injured. There is not yet any information available as to whether they are workers or holidaymakers. It is being reported a false ceiling could have collapsed, although there has not yet been any official confirmation.
Four of the injured are said to be “very serious” with reports pointing to the victims being crushed under rubble. A local court has sent a forensic expert to the scene.
A spokesman for a regional emergency response coordination centre said: “We have activated an emergency response as a result of the collapse of the ceiling of a two-storey building in Avenida Cartago in Playa de Palma, where people are trapped. Firefighters and local police are at the scene.”
Playa de Palma is the beach area lying to the east of the Majorcan capital. It is especially popular with German holidaymakers.
Unconfirmed local reports are describing the dead man as a male and pointing to the number of injured including a person seriously hurt as four, although the figure could rise.
Live footage from the scene shows a number of fire engines and ambulances at the scene.
One of the fire engines is fitted with a cherry picker.
The street outside the beach club has been sealed off so the emergency services can deal with the ongoing incident.
Although initial reports pointed to a false ceiling having collapsed, it later emerged the first floor had collapsed on the ground floor.
Around 100 emergency responders are at the scene and Palma’s mayor Jaime Martinez is also there.
Local media said several tourists had tried to enter the premises because they suspected friends were inside.
Phone calls to the beach club said to have been affected went unanswered last night.
Medusa Beach Club is popular with tourists of all nationalities.
A recent visitor from Ireland wrote on Tripadvisor: “Beautiful restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating.We had Pizzas and drinks absolutely lovely and very friendly and helpful staff.We will definitely return.”
The venue also offers live music and is famed for its cocktails.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
