A part of a hotel in Kroev, a winemaking town on the Mosel River in western Germany, collapsed late Tuesday night, resulting in two fatalities and leaving several others trapped in the wreckage. The incident has sparked a large-scale rescue operation and raised questions about building safety in the region.
The collapse occurred around 11 p.m. Tuesday, when one story of the building suddenly gave way. Of the 14 people in the hotel at the time, five were able to escape unharmed as they were not in the affected area. However, others remained trapped beneath the debris, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Joerg Teusch, fire and disaster protection inspector for the Bernkastel-Wittlich district, described the challenging rescue conditions at a news conference. We have to proceed with caution because the entire building structure is like a house of cards. If we pull on the wrong card, this building is sure to collapse,” Teusch explained. The collapse left two ceilings lying on top of each other, complicating access to those trapped inside.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang and seeing a large cloud of dust at the moment of collapse, according to regional public broadcaster SWR. The cause of the structural failure remains undetermined, with investigators yet to establish what led to the catastrophic event.
In response to the disaster, authorities evacuated 31 people from the immediate vicinity of the damaged building. Approximately 250 emergency workers, including drone specialists and rescue dogs, have been deployed to the scene. The rescue operation is ongoing, with teams working tirelessly to reach those still trapped.
Kroev, a picturesque town of about 2,200 inhabitants near the larger resort of Traben-Trarbach, is known for its scenic location on the Mosel River. The incident has shocked the tight-knit community and raised concerns about the structural integrity of buildings in the area.
