MADRID – A suspected gas leak in the Salamanca district of Madrid has left at least 18 injured following an explosion. Two men were also reported missing after a major explosion in a 4-story building. The building is located at Calle General Pardiñas, 35 at the corner with Calle Ayala.
At least 18 people have been injured, 4 of which have been transferred to hospitals, and one is seriously injured with polytrauma. The 2 missing were young men who were carrying out plumbing work on the 3rd floor at the time of the explosion. The explosion happened at around 1.30 pm.
⚠ Recuerda que sigue activo el dispositivo en torno al lugar de la #explosión en #Madrid
Seguimos trabajando junto a @EmergenciasMad @BomberosMad @SAMUR_PC @policiademadrid @AMovilidadMad y #SUMMA112
⛔Evita la zona y sigue las indicaciones de los agentes#BarrioDeSalamanca pic.twitter.com/x9DrGmzZTX
— Policía Nacional (@policia) May 6, 2022
Nothing ruled out on Madrid explosion
According to El Confidencial, the city Mayor, José Luis Martínez Almeida is at the scene, and has confirmed that currently, “there are no fatalities”. The initial reaction from some residents is that it was a gas explosion. However, the firefighters have not ruled out anything at this stage.
Nervous breakdown
Families of the missing men are also at the scene as they search under the rubble hoping for survivors. However, Emergencias Madrid has just confirmed the 2 missing workers’ bodies have been found. They were aged just 21 and 27.
A relative of one of the workers was admitted to the hospital after he suffered from a nervous breakdown on hearing the news.
Pregnant woman
Among those requiring medical assistance, 10 have been discharged. An 84-year-old man is in serious condition after the explosion sent him into the air. He then hit the ground and suffered multiple contusions. A 44-year-old woman with leg injuries and a 77-year-old woman with a head injury is expected to be discharged shortly. A 36-year-old pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for observation after suffering stress, and an anxiety attack when she heard the explosion. She is expected to return home this evening.
Unstable condition
Several crews of firefighters are at the building, which is in an unstable condition, and therefore it is possible it could collapse. Dogs were also on the scene.
According to reports, a neighbouring building has also been evacuated until the structure is checked. In addition to the building, several parked cars have also been damaged.
