At least four people are dead and 16 have been injured after a two-storey restaurant building collapsed on the beach in the Spanish tourism hotspot of Palma de Mallorca.

Emergency services said seven people were injured “very seriously” and nine seriously – while more were believed to be trapped in the rubble.

The injured were taken to various hospitals in Palma.

Firefighters and police forces rushed to the scene on Thursday (local time), emergency services said, adding psychologists had also been called in.

Local media reports people were dancing on the restaurant’s terrace when it collapsed onto the floor below. The roof of the building also collapsed.

An unknown number of people were believed to be trapped in the rubble. As crowds gathered at the scene, emergency services asked for silence so they could hear people inside, according to local media. The area was later cordoned off.

“I am closely following the consequences of the terrible collapse that occurred on the beach of Palma,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on X.

Sanchez said he had spoken to local and regional authorities, adding the government was ready to help “with all the means and troops that are necessary”.

“I want to send my condolences to the families of the deceased and my wish for a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.

Spanish state-owned broadcaster TVE showed firefighters working to clear areas of the Medusa Beach Club in Palma about 11.30pm on Thursday. Ambulances were also on the scene.

Mallorca is one of Spain’s Balearic Islands, which are one of the European nation’s most popular tourist destinations. According to official figures, more than 14 million tourists visited the islands in 2023.

-with AAP