A Gypsy couple in their early forties were killed yesterday morning when their house collapsed in on top of them while they were sleeping. Their 14 year old son, who was sleeping in a different part of the house, said he did not hear a thing. His older brother, who works at a local factory, had already left for his morning shift.

The incident occurred shortly before 11am at the family home - a town house in the old quarter of Albelda de Iregua (La Rioja) apparently riddled with underground tunnels and wine cellars.

Regional Interior minister, Miguel Sáinz, confirmed yesterday that the bodies, which were recovered at around 12pm, have been taken to the Legal Medicine Institute in Logroño for autopsy.

Mr Sáinz also said that the victims' relatives are receiving psychological support, and that records indicate that the collapsed building had not been declared a ruin.

It seems that the family moved to the town around four months ago.