At least two people are feared dead and several trapped after a four-storey building collapsed in a Tenerife resort popular with Brit holidaymakers.
The building is located in the Los Cristianos neighborhood, in the south of the island. Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary islands and has a British expat community of around 10,000.
Eight people are believed to be trapped under the rubble.
The building is said to have collapsed at around 9.30am local time, sparking panic among the locals.
The injured include a 57-year-old woman, who is said to be in serious condition and a 28-year-old man who suffered minor cuts and bruises. Both were taken to hospital for treatment.
The third victim is a 55-year-old woman who was said to be in a state of shock and was treated at the scene.
It is not yet known what caused the collapse, but police have evacuated nearby buildings for fear they too might be at risk.
The area is sealed off.
Local Emergencies Coordinator Oscar Nunez told a local radio: “A powerful explosion was heard in the street which became engulfed in dust.”
Carlos, who owns a restaurant in the area, said: “The emergency services took a woman on a stretcher and wearing a collar to protect her neck.”
Videos posted on Twitter show area second after the building came down.
In one of the posts locals can be seen walking around in a plume of smoke – looking dazed and disoriented.
One local resident said: “It sounded as if a bomb had exploded.”
Another worker said: “People were heard screaming inside after the collapse,”
Another said there was an explosion and a smell of gas before the building collapsed like a pack of cards.
Firefighters and police on the scene with rescue dogs.
It is not yet known if any UK nationals have been affected.