"A terrible tremor was felt"; A building collapsed downtown Madrid: Search for the missing is underway VIDEO

According to initial reports, at least three workers were injured, and emergency services are searching for two others believed to be trapped under the rubble, El País reports.

Eleven teams from the city’s fire department were dispatched to the scene. Medical personnel treated three workers — one was taken to the hospital with a broken leg, while the other two sustained minor injuries. Although early reports mentioned four missing individuals, police sources have now confirmed that the search is underway for two people.

 

 

Witnesses in shock

The manager of the San Ginés chocolate shop, located on a nearby street, said the area had been cordoned off.

“The entire building has collapsed, and we can’t get through. There are many ambulances and police vehicles, and they’re not letting anyone in,” she said.

Spanish newspapers reported that at least six floors had collapsed and that at least one person — possibly more — may be trapped inside, citing unnamed sources close to the investigation.

“I felt a terrible tremor”

A neighbor said that the building had been abandoned for a long time before the construction of the hotel began.

“About half an hour ago, I felt a terrible tremor on the street, and a huge cloud of dust rose up in front of the building — a cloud that frightened and confused people,” she said. According to neighbors, emergency services responded very quickly.

The owner of a nearby shop confirmed that everyone had been evacuated.

“The building completely collapsed, and they are checking whether several workers are missing; we’ve all been evacuated, and the street has been cordoned off,” she said.

Miguel, who works at a nearby restaurant, said that around 12:45 a.m., a cloud of dust engulfed the premises, and they had to urgently evacuate all the guests.