Four young people were rescued from an abandoned hospital in Esparreguera, Barcelona, after its structure collapsed, leaving one in serious condition.
Four young people became trapped in an abandoned hospital in Esparreguera, Barcelona, when the building's structure collapsed. The incident took place on Saturday after the fire brigade received an alert about the emergency around 18:06. Responding quickly, the Generalitat's firefighters deployed 13 teams to conduct the rescue operations and utilized drones in their efforts due to the building's unstable condition.
The firefighters managed to rescue the first two individuals relatively quickly, with one sustaining serious injuries and another in a less critical condition. After about three hours of intense rescue efforts, the remaining two were safely extricated without any injuries. The situation posed several risks due to the potential for further structural collapse, necessitating careful planning and execution of the rescue protocol.
The collapse of the old hospital underlines ongoing concerns regarding abandoned buildings in the area, raising discussion about urban safety and the need for regular inspections. This incident not only highlights the dangers associated with derelict structures but also showcases the efficiency of emergency services in handling such critical situations. Further investigations will likely explore the circumstances leading to the building's deterioration and the associated risks to the community.
