Five people have died and two remain missing after a footbridge collapsed at a beach in Spain.
The group of seven were crossing the walkway at El Bocal Beach in the city of Santander when the horrifying accident happened at around 4.30pm on Tuesday.
They all fell into the water and onto rocks below the wooden bridge, which is understood to have stretched between two cliffs, when it gave way.
All the walkers were ‘young to middle-aged’ women, according to local reports. Their nationalities are not yet known.
It is understood one person was initially rescued alive and rushed to hospital with hypothermia, where they later sadly passed away, in intensive care.
Though five people have now tragically been confirmed dead, local reports have said as many as six may have lost their lives.
Police, firefighters, the coastguard and local government are all helping with search and rescue efforts to find the missing.
Around 70 people, also including volunteers from the Red Cross, are understood to be working to complete the mission before nightfall, The Sun reports.
The group of seven were crossing the walkway (pictured) at El Bocal Beach in the city of Santander when the horrifying accident happened at around 4.30pm on Tuesday
They all fell into the water and onto rocks below the wooden bridge, which is understood to have stretched between two cliffs, when it gave way. Pictured: Rescue teams at the scene
Police, firefighters, the coastguard and local government, which has provided a helicopter, are all helping with search and rescue efforts to find the missing. Pictured: Rescue teams at the scene
They are being supported with two helicopters, from the coastguard, known as Maritime Rescue, and first response emergency services respectively.
The group had been walking along the coast, along a pedestrian route involving several footbridge crossings, it has been claimed.
They were reportedly heading for the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, after setting off from El Bocal.
The bridge is understood to be popular with walkers and hikers keen to explore Spain’s northern coast.
Emergency services were called by horrified bystanders around fifteen minutes after the walkers fell into the water.
Pictures from the scene appear to show the entire bottom of the footbridge having fallen out, with emergency services swarming the scene to help.
One person can be seen being carried on a stretcher into a response helicopter, while lifeboats patrol the water.
Rescue attempts have been thwarted by the difficult terrain, Spanish outlet Olive Press reports, marked by strong waves, rocky platforms and natural pools.
Around 70 people are understood to be working to complete the mission before nightfall. Pictured: A rescue helicopter at the scene, as bystanders watch on
Emergency services (pictured, at the scene) were called by horrified bystanders around fifteen minutes after the walkers fell into the water
The area has been cordoned off and investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing.
The city council and local technical services are working to gather information on the bridge’s maintenance and inspection history, Spanish outlet El Pais reports.
Gema Igual, mayor of Santander, on the north coast of Spain, previously spoke to reporters at the scene, when the death toll stood at four.
‘It’s a great tragedy that some young people who came to enjoy nature encountered this,’ she said.
‘They had come to enjoy the area’s natural environment and suffered this accident.
‘We have four dead, two people we are still looking for and another who is suffering from apparent hypothermia in hospital.’
Maria Jose Saenz de Buruaga, president of Cantabria, the region the city is in, has publicly expressed her sorrow at the tragedy.
In a statement posted to her social media accounts, she said: ‘All my love and solidarity go out to the victims and their families.’
The official added she is closely monitoring the situation and that local government is committed to addressing and investigating it.
Hugo Moran, Spain’s environment secretary, is thought to be making his way to the scene.
Local second-division football team Real Racing Club de Santander has said online it will hold a minute’s silence at its match on Sunday in memory of the deceased.
It said in a statement: ‘From the Real Racing Club we want to express our dismay at the terrible tragedy that happened in El Bocal.
‘We convey our deepest condolences, support and love to the families and friends of all victims.
‘The club will hold a minute of silence next Sunday at the Sport Fields in memory of the deceased.’
The series of walkways the group was using was installed more than ten years ago, amid strong local opposition – to the extent the project was halted at one point.
