Two people lost their lives in Kröv, Germany, following the partial collapse of a hotel building late Tuesday night.
Several others remain trapped under the debris. Rescue operations are underway with over 200 emergency services personnel at the site.
Situated near the banks of the River Moselle, the hotel’s roof caved in around 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Tuesday, causing windows to shatter as the top floor fell onto the lower floor.
Fourteen individuals were inside the hotel when the collapse occurred, according to local police. Among those rescued on Wednesday morning was a young Dutch family visiting the area.
Five people managed to escape the building unscathed late Tuesday night, but nine others were trapped beneath the rubble.
At a news conference on Wednesday, fire inspector Jörg Teusch identified the two deceased individuals as a man and a woman, stating that they died overnight as a direct consequence of the collapse.
Dutch media reported that a 23-year-old woman from Urk and her infant son were rescued early Wednesday morning and taken to the hospital.
The woman’s 26-year-old husband was rescued later the same day, but his condition remains unknown.
Approximately 250 emergency services personnel, including firefighters, police, rescue dog teams, and medics, were deployed to assist with the rescue efforts.
Two individuals remain buried under the debris, but emergency services have confirmed they are still in contact with them.
According to local broadcaster SWR, the damaged building in western Germany dates back to the 1600s and underwent significant renovations in the 1980s when an additional floor was added to the now two-story hotel.
The Moselle Valley is a popular tourist destination, renowned for its vineyards and charming old towns.
One hotel guest, quoted by SWR, recounted being in the toilet when the floor beneath him collapsed.
Nearby residents have been instructed to evacuate the area due to fears that the hotel building might collapse further.
