First people rescued from collapsed hotel in Rhineland-Palatinate
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening. A floor of the hotel collapsed, with 14 people inside the building at the time. Five managed to escape unharmed.
Rescue teams were able to make contact with some of the nine people trapped under the rubble. The operation was challenging, as the building could only be entered with "great caution" by the rescue teams. 31 residents from nearby were evacuated.
Around 250 rescue personnel, including firefighters, police, and medical services, were on the scene. The Trier police announced further information about the operation for later in the morning.
The rescue teams communicated, "The following is added: we've established a makeshift communication line with some of the individuals trapped beneath the debris." As the rescue operation progressed, the local authorities coordinated efforts with the "The following is added: police, firefighters, and medical services."