A man has died in a hotel collapse on the Moselle River.
Parts of a hotel in Moselort Kröv have collapsed. One person has died. Eight more people are trapped under the rubble, with rescue efforts complicated by fears that more of the building could collapse.
Following the partial collapse of a hotel in Kröv on the Mosel, a body has been found. Eight more people are believed to be trapped in the building, some with serious injuries, police in Trier reported in the morning. According to current information, eight more people are under the rubble, with contact established with some, police reported early in the morning. Emergency services are working to rescue those trapped. "Several people have been able to leave the building independently and are being cared for by emergency services and chaplains," it was reported. The fire department initially declined to comment. Earlier, SWR reported on the incident in the district of Bernkastel-Wittlich.
Images from the scene show parts of the multi-story timber-framed building collapsed, with concrete rubble on the ground. Emergency services arrived with several vehicles. According to SWR information, a search and rescue dog unit is also involved.
The fire department was initially unable to enter the building due to the risk of further collapse. The Technical Relief Agency has set up measuring points in front of the hotel to monitor any movement in the building or if it can be safely entered. Due to fears that more of the hotel could collapse and cause damage to neighboring buildings, nearby houses are being evacuated.
The cause of the partial collapse of the building is still unknown. Neither the police nor the fire department have made any statements on the matter. Residents reportedly called the emergency services late in the evening. An eyewitness told SWR that he had just been in the toilet when the floor beneath him gave way.
The police confirmed the discovery of a deceased individual within the hotel ruins, stating, "Following the partial collapse of a hotel in Kröv on the Mosel, a body has been found." Later in the morning, they reported that eight more individuals are believed to be trapped within the building, with contact established with some of them.
