Building collapse in Madrid kills two people

Emergency crews in central Madrid carried out extended rescue operations after a partially renovated six-storey building on Calle de las Hileras suddenly collapsed during conversion into a boutique hotel, leaving several people injured and others unaccounted for amid a large pile of rubble. Witnesses described a loud, explosion-like noise as interior floors gave way and a dust cloud filled the narrow street near Puerta del Sol and the Royal Opera.

Firefighters and urban search-and-rescue teams deployed cranes, drones and search dogs to locate survivors; at least one person was rescued alive after hours of delicate work. Authorities reported multiple injured taken to hospitals — early tallies varied, with estimates around ten mostly minor injuries and later counts listing fewer — and at least two of the initially missing were later found dead while searches continued for others. Emergency responders warned the structure remained at high risk of further collapse and installed metal supports to stabilize the remaining façade before deeper operations could proceed.

Nearby buildings were evacuated amid concerns about structural damage, and city engineers inspected adjoining properties. The collapse reportedly affected floors down to the basement, and the volume of debris was described as significant; officials cautioned that rescue operations could last days. Family members of missing workers gathered behind police cordons while Red Cross teams and local authorities set up tents offering shelter and psychological support.

City and national leaders visited the scene and pledged full transparency in the investigation. Preliminary assessments point to structural stress during renovation work — including recent use of heavy machinery and scaffolding on upper floors — though investigators have not ruled out human error or safety violations. The building had a recent permit for conversion and a listed surface area of roughly 6,745 square metres.

The incident has renewed scrutiny of Madrid’s urban redevelopment and the enforcement of safety standards in historic districts undergoing modernization, with officials promising a comprehensive review of renovation permits and inspection procedures once rescue efforts conclude. Emergency services continued to coordinate search efforts while securing the scene near the Plaza Mayor, a busy tourist area, as authorities probed causes and assessed risks to adjacent structures.