Severe construction site accident in Santa Margalida: man killed by concrete slabs

Tragedy at a construction site in Santa Margalida

Yesterday afternoon, around 3:30 p.m., a quiet side street in Santa Margalida became a scene of shock: at a small construction site on Camí des Forn, several heavy concrete slabs were apparently stored unsafely and collapsed onto a 57-year-old worker. Colleagues tried to initiate rescue measures with a crane, but there was no help for the man.

Witnesses and initial actions

According to residents and witnesses, the site was operating normally that afternoon. A neighbor living in the house opposite recalls: I heard a dull bang followed by panic. The colleagues shouted and tried to help immediately. The emergency dispatch was alerted at 15:34; ambulances and police arrived a few minutes later. The on-call doctor could only confirm the death.

Local police and the responsible occupational safety authority have cordoned off the accident site and begun investigations into the cause. Evidence was secured, and those responsible for the construction site were questioned. Whether there were violations of safety regulations will now be determined by the investigation.

Colleagues in shock, neighbors affected

He was a calm, experienced colleague, says a construction worker who does not wish to be named. Many colleagues appeared visibly shocked; some were helped on-site by psychological services. In the nearby bar on the corner, conversations were quiet—regulars and workers who usually talk loudly seemed affected and thoughtful.

Such accidents remind us how quickly something can go wrong on construction sites. Residents are now calling for more inspections and clear guidelines for securing heavy materials. Municipal representatives said they would wait for the investigation results before taking further action if necessary.

What happens now

The investigations are ongoing. Authorities ask witnesses who have not yet spoken with the police to come forward. Local services have offered assistance to the relatives of the deceased; the municipality is also examining whether additional safety measures at construction sites in the surrounding area should be expanded.

A sad day for Santa Margalida. The memory of the loss remains, as does the demand for better protection for people who work daily on the island's construction sites.