Madrid Using Ice Rink As Makeshift Morgue As COVID-19 Deaths Surge

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 23: Two members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) in protective suits enter the mall Palacio de Hielo, whose ice rink will be used as a morgue due to local funeral homes being over capacity d... MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 23: Two members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) in protective suits enter the mall Palacio de Hielo, whose ice rink will be used as a morgue due to local funeral homes being over capacity due to COVID-19 on March 23, 2020 in Madrid Spain. Spain plans to continue its quarantine measures at least through April 11. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to at least 182 countries, claiming over 10,000 lives and infecting hundreds of thousands more. (Photo by Patricia J. Garcinuno/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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MADRID — Madrid’s ice-skating rink is now being used as a makeshift morgue given the rapid increase in deaths in the Spanish capital owing to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Security forces guarded the outside of the Palacio de Hielo complex on Madrid’s north-eastern outskirts Tuesday as funeral service vans arrived and entered the building underground car park.

Madrid city authorities took up the rink’s offer to use the 1,800 square-meter (2,153 square-yard) center after the city’s municipal funeral service said it could take no more coronavirus bodies until it restocked with protective equipment and material.

Madrid is one of the hardest hit of Spain’s 17 regions with some 1,300 deaths, approximately half the national total.

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