Construction worker dies after building near US embassy in London collapses

Another man was treated for minor injuries

A police officer talks with a construction worker at the scene of partial building collapse in Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, central London. (Catherine Wylie/PA Wire)

A man died and another was injured after part of a building that was being redeveloped into flats on Grosvenor Square, London, collapsed, according to police.

Police officers were called to the block, which used to be a US Navy headquarters, in Mayfair, central London at around 3:45pm.

The man who was a construction worker on the site and believed to be in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Abu Dhabi Investment Corporation developer Finchatton bought the building in April last year from a consortium headed by restaurateur and entrepreneur Richard Caring, who owns classic London venues including the Ivy, Scott's and Annabel's.

Declan Sherry, chief executive of site contractor McGee, said: “ At approximately 4pm today, an incident occurred on the construction site at 20 Grosvenor Square which required an ambulance to be called for two workers who were taken to hospital.

"McGee, the contractor responsible for the site, is liaising with the workers' families. We cannot, therefore, release any further details at this time."

Police officers have requested that members of the public avoid the area, including anyone who planned to attend a demonstration at the nearby US embassy at 6pm.

The site was was originally built as flats in the 1930s and had been vacant since 2007.

Additional reporting by PA