What started as an ordinary afternoon in Madrid quickly turned into chaos when a powerful gas explosion ripped through a bar in the Puente de Vallecas district.
The blast, which struck around 3 p.m. local time, left at least 25 people injured, with several of them fighting for their lives.
Injuries Reported and Emergency Response
Among the 25 victims, three are said to be in critical condition, while another two suffered potentially serious injuries.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene within minutes, treating the wounded and transporting the most severe cases to nearby hospitals.
Madrid’s emergency services confirmed that firefighters, paramedics, and police officers were deployed in large numbers to handle the crisis.
Bar and Nearby Homes Damaged
The explosion didn’t just devastate the bar — it also impacted the residential flats above it.
Footage shared by Madrid’s emergency services showed the bar’s ceiling partially collapsed, bricks and rubble scattered across the floor, and doors blown off their hinges.
Shards of glass littered the road outside as stunned locals watched rescuers carry victims away on stretchers.
Neighbours later told El País that the blast had occurred in a ground-floor area that was used as a living space, adding to concerns about the extent of the damage.
Rescue Teams Use Dogs and Drones
The response has been extensive and high-tech.
Sniffer dogs were deployed to search through the debris, while drones were sent into the wreckage to help identify any signs of life and assess structural risks.
Madrid Police confirmed that 18 firefighting units are still working on clearing rubble, supported by their canine and aerial teams.
The goal is to ensure that no one is trapped inside the damaged building.
Streets Closed as Authorities Secure Area
Police have sealed off Manuel Maroto Street, the site of the explosion, and diverted traffic from surrounding roads to keep the area safe.
Officers continue to monitor the situation as rescue crews carry out their work.
Madrid’s city council released a statement confirming the number of people injured and reassured residents that every available unit is involved in the emergency operation.
Community in Shock
For residents of Vallecas, Saturday’s blast came as a terrifying shock.
What should have been a normal day in the neighborhood quickly turned into scenes of destruction and fear.
With families displaced and victims recovering in hospitals, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of a tragedy that shook the heart of Madrid.