Authorities in western Germany reported a tragic incident where part of a hotel in the winemaking town of Kroev on the Mosel River collapsed, resulting in two fatalities and leaving two individuals still trapped in the wreckage. The collapse occurred around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, with fourteen people inside the hotel at the time.
Five individuals managed to escape unharmed as they were not in the section that collapsed. Rescue efforts were hindered by the precarious state of the building, with two ceilings now lying on top of each other, making it challenging to reach those still trapped.
Rescuers were able to establish contact with some of the trapped individuals via cellphone. However, the delicate nature of the building structure required caution to prevent further collapse.
Five people were successfully rescued the following day, including a 2-year-old child and the child's mother, who sustained minor injuries. The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, with investigations ongoing.
The original hotel building, believed to date back to the 17th century, had additional stories added in 1980. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise and seeing a cloud of dust during the collapse.
The extensive rescue operation involved 250 emergency workers, including drone specialists and rescue dogs. Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution, with 21 people relocated from three surrounding structures.
The hotel guests at the time were predominantly German, with one Dutch family also present. Tragically, two German individuals lost their lives in the incident.
Kroev, situated on the scenic Mosel River near Traben-Trarbach, is home to approximately 2,200 residents. The community is now grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event as investigations continue into the cause of the collapse.
