Four dead after tragic six-storey building collapse in central Madrid during hotel renovation

Authorities in Madrid have confirmed the deaths of four people following the partial collapse of a six-storey building on Hileras Street, near the city’s historic Puerta del Sol. The incident occurred as the former office block was undergoing renovation to be transformed into a hotel. Emergency services, including firefighters, police, drones, and sniffer dogs, conducted overnight search operations, locating the final two bodies early Wednesday morning.

Among the victims were the project’s 30-year-old architect and three construction workers. Three additional workers sustained injuries. According to officials, the collapse caused several internal floors to give way down to the basement, while the façade of the structure remained standing.

City records show the building was originally constructed in 1965 and had previously been flagged during technical inspections in 2012 and 2022 as “unfavourable,” citing issues with the façade, roofing, and drainage systems.

The renovation project, approved in December 2024, was managed by a local developer and intended to convert the property into a four-star hotel. Authorities have now launched a detailed investigation to determine the precise cause of the collapse and assess potential risks to nearby structures.

Officials have cordoned off the area as engineers evaluate the site for structural stability and any possible impact on adjacent buildings. The incident highlights the importance of rigorous structural assessments during refurbishment works on aging urban properties.

More footage on the tragic incidence can be seen in the following video.