Mallorca storm damages Palma campus, pool shuts

A Mallorca storm has damaged the Palma campus of the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB), leaving its swimming pool and sports hall closed. Teaching is due to resume as normal on Thursday at the Mallorca campus and the UIB sites on Menorca, Eivissa and Formentera. Nobody was hurt when the storm struck Palma at about 14.00 on Wednesday.

Strong gusts tore loose some solar panels, damaging several vehicles. The scale of that damage has not yet been assessed. Branches and other debris also fell at points across the university grounds.

The university's technical teams have inspected damaged infrastructure, while safety procedures remain in force as the full assessment continues. Other sports facilities are expected to operate normally on Thursday.

Shortly before the storm arrived, the UIB told people on campus through its official channels and institutional email to remain inside buildings and avoid unnecessary journeys. Once the storm eased, classes were suspended and the buildings were closed.

A disruption on Metro line 1 then stopped services. The university opened the Ramon Llull building so members of its academic community could shelter there until they were able to leave campus.

If the weather creates a significant new risk to university activity, the UIB says it will issue an update through its official channels before 07.30 on Thursday. Vice-rector Carles Mulet is scheduled to explain the condition of the affected facilities at 08.30 in the Son Lledó building.

Topics: Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com