- Hotel demolition for body recovery moves ahead
Following the hotel collapse in Kröv, demolition work to recover the second body is underway. A specialized excavator with an extended arm initially tore down part of the upper floor: beams, wall sections, and other debris were gradually removed. "It looks like it's going quite well and smoothly," said on-site police spokesperson Romy Berger.
When the man's body will be recovered remains uncertain. "It could also be tomorrow or the day after," she said. Everything depends on how quickly they can really progress. The demolition is necessary because the rescue forces could not otherwise safely recover the deceased. He is located under the rubble at an inaccessible spot in an area deemed particularly at risk of collapse. The man is believed to be the hotel owner.
The building in the Mosel town collapsed late on Tuesday evening, with a complete floor collapsing. Two people died, and one dead woman has already been recovered. There were also seven injured people who were rescued after hours.
Duration of work unclear
Demolition work began around midday with the tearing down of the gable wall of the building, where, according to the police, the greatest risk of collapse existed. Afterwards, the heavy machinery of a specialized company was to proceed step by step. "You have to see how far you get. After the pure demolition work, the delicate work begins." The timeframe cannot be estimated.
The accident site was cordoned off for demolition work within a radius of 150 meters. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed as increased dust pollution is expected during the work, the police said. An asbestos contamination cannot be ruled out.
Cracks in other buildings
According to police reports, cracks have also been found in nearby buildings. Whether these are related to the collapse or old damage, and whether they are relevant for the stability of the buildings, is currently being clarified.
An expert had visited the site on Wednesday to assess the situation. He recommended demolition to safely recover the body. The police reported that the building still poses a high risk of collapse. The expert was also on site on Friday to monitor the work. He is also to determine the cause of the accident.
The tragedy has deeply affected the Mosel community. A service of remembrance and support is planned for Sunday. The invitation from the police chaplaincy states: "Everyone is welcome."
The cause of the tragedy is still unknown. The public prosecutor's office has initiated a death investigation procedure and ordered the autopsy of the victims.
Due to the risk of further collapse, the emergency demolition must continue until the body is safely recovered. The exact duration of the demolition work remains unclear, as progress depends on the conditions of the building.
