Building collapse leaves five dead

A three-storey building collapsed in north-eastern Spain today, leaving five North African immigrants dead and four injured, the regional emergency service said.

Firefighters were searching for survivors trapped under debris in the building in the old quarter of the town of Piera, near the north-eastern city of Barcelona.

It is still unknown how many more people were inside the building when it caved in, said Santi Pares, co-ordinator of the regional emergency centre of the Generalitat.

The building, more than 100 years old, was home to North African immigrants and collapsed at about 2.45am (1.45am Irish Time) as most residents were sleeping, Pares said.

He added that the five dead were all men, aged between 20 and 55.

According to neighbours, the immigrants gathered each night for the celebration of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Two injured were taken to hospital, Pares said.

The other two were treated for slight injuries at the scene.

The cause of the accident was being investigated.

However, Pares said that it was most likely due to heavy rainfall that has struck the region of Catalonia for two days.