A portable swimming pool almost caused an apartment building in Spain to collapse, it has emerged.
The pool, filled with around 6,000 litres of water, was installed on the balcony of a flat in Palma de Mallorca.
According to local police, the weight of the pool placed the building under ‘dangerous stress’ and ‘risked collapse’.
Neighbours called emergency services after hearing loud creaking noises coming from the floor beneath the pool.
Local authorities confirmed that the enormous weight – close to six tonnes – was compromising the building’s structural integrity.
Units from the Palma Fire Brigade, Local Police, and Urban Planning technicians from the City Council responded immediately to assess the situation.
Upon inspection, they found that even with the pool only half full, the terrace slab was not designed to bear such a concentrated load.
Emergency services ordered the pool to be drained on the spot, averting further risk and preventing potential collapse. Officials later confirmed that the floor had already sustained damage due to the strain.
‘What seems like a summer luxury can pose a serious structural threat,’ the Palma Local Police warned in a statement.
‘A small pool may look harmless, but the weight of water adds up quickly – tonnes of pressure focused on a single area.
‘Terraces and balconies are built to support limited loads. Exceeding these limits can result in significant structural damage or even collapse.’
The police strongly advised residents to consult a certified architect or structural engineer before installing any heavy item – especially pools, hot tubs, or large planters – on balconies or terraces.
The incident has sparked renewed concern about unregulated modifications in residential buildings and the widespread summer trend of placing temporary pools in small private spaces without proper safety assessments.
Read more Spain news at the Spanish Eye.
