MADRID (BN24) — Four construction workers were missing after a five-story building under renovation partially collapsed in central Madrid on Tuesday, prompting a major search and rescue operation near some of the Spanish capital’s most historic landmarks.
The three men and one woman were reported missing by the construction company overseeing the project, Madrid Deputy Mayor Inma Sanz told reporters at the scene. She said the collapse involved the building’s upper floors, which fell downward, creating a massive amount of rubble. “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,” Sanz said.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Calle de las Hileras in the Opera district, just steps from Madrid’s royal palace and opera house. Witnesses described hearing a loud crash followed by a huge cloud of dust and debris filling the street.
The partial collapse happened inside the structure, leaving its exterior facade standing but unstable. Authorities said the building, which includes a basement, was in the process of being converted into a hotel by developer Rehbilita. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Emergency services spokesperson Beatriz Martín said two people sustained minor injuries, while a third was hospitalized with a broken leg. Police and firefighters deployed drones and sniffer dogs to search for the missing workers.
Construction worker Mikhail, who was pumping concrete into the building’s lower floors at the time, said he was outside when the structure gave way. “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,” he told reporters.
Sanz said that the immediate priority is to locate the missing workers and ensure the safety of the teams on site. She noted that the facade remains unstable, complicating the work of firefighters, engineers, and medical personnel. Psychologists were also deployed to support affected families.
Rescue operations are expected to last for several days as crews carefully clear debris and stabilize the structure. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.
