Two people killed and four missing after building collapses in Madrid

Two people have died and four more are missing after a building collapsed in Spain.

The building, which was in the process of being renovated, collapsed at 1pm local time on Tuesday afternoon in central Madrid, near the city’s opera house and royal palace.

The top floor of the six-storey building collapsed, which then pancaked the lower floors under the weight.

Deputy Mayor Inma Sanz warned: ‘The upper floors collapsed and fell downwards, therefore we’re talking about a very significant amount of rubble that will take a long time to clear – not just hours, but probably several days.’

Emergency workers have recovered a man’s body and found another body under the debris.

Four people – three men and one woman – have been reported missing by the construction company in charge of the renovation.

Another three workers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital with a broken leg.

One construction worker, identified only as Mikhail, was pumping concrete into the building’s lower floors and was outside when the collapse occurred.

He said he saw a large cloud of dust and immediately sprinted away, adding: ‘I was the first to run, I didn’t care about anything else. I’ll save my life first and, if I can, save others later.’

Police have brought in sniffer dogs and drones to try and find those still missing or trapped in the ruins.

City Mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida said: ‘We will keep working until we find the missing people.’

Pictures show the building’s facade was covered by a huge green tarp typically used by construction crews when renovating older buildings.

It’s thought the facade, which remained standing after the collapse, may have prevented most of the debris from reaching the street.

The building was in the process of being converted into a hotel, according to developer Rehbilita’s website.

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