Arrest made in Mallorca terrace collapse that killed several foreigners
This tragedy was the worst incident of its kind in the Balearic capital in 15 years
The devastating incident that shook Mallorca on May 23 has led to the arrest of the businessman who operated the bar where a terrace collapse took the lives of four people and injured 14 others. The National Police, after a thorough investigation, have detained the man for his alleged involvement in four counts of gross negligence homicide and six counts of serious injury.
The investigation conducted so far has revealed that the outdoor bar terrace, located on the first line of Playa de Palma, had been renovated without the necessary license or permit. The modifications significantly weakened the structure as it had not been reinforced to withstand additional weight. This overload, combined with the weight of the customers and bar staff, ultimately led to the partial collapse of the terrace and roof, with tragic consequences.
The Police Homicide Group's inquiry, supported by technical reports from Palma Town Hall, determined that the terrace and attached roof structure were not reinforced for such use. The investigation also highlighted that the terrace did not have a municipal activity license to host customers, making its operation illegal.
This negligence resulted in the loss of four lives: a 23-year-old female worker from Navarra and three customers, including two German tourists and a 44-year-old Senegalese resident of Palma.
As the Palma Town Hall pointed out, both the basement of the building, where a music bar was located, and the ground floor, which was used as a restaurant, did have the required licences.
With the arrest of the bar boss, the National Police are sending a clear message of accountability to business owners. This incident was the worst of its kind on the island in 15 years. Mallorca had not witnessed a similar tragedy since 2009 when a building collapsed due to poor conditions, taking seven lives.
Image: Google Maps
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