- Memorial service after hotel collapse in Kröv
Following the hotel collapse in the Mosel village of Kröv, with two fatalities, many people attended a memorial service for the victims and their families. In a church garden, they paused, tears often flowing. Prayers were also said for a Dutch father who was injured in the accident and is being treated in a Trier hospital, currently in an induced coma, according to police.
At the end of the service, his father Auke Hoefnagel said, "We trust that he will make a full recovery." The 26-year-old Dutchman was one of seven injured rescued from the rubble. His wife and their two-year-old son were also rescued. The father of the Dutch mother thanked the rescue services, saying, "You are heroes!"
On the late Tuesday evening, a complete floor of the hotel collapsed. Two people died: a 64-year-old woman and the 59-year-old hotel operator. His body was recovered from the rubble on Saturday morning, after large parts of the hotel had to be demolished to ensure the safe recovery of the bodies.
There was a large outpouring of grief in Kröv.
Many emergency services personnel also attended the service, which was meant to help process the events, said police chaplain Hubertus Kesselheim. Two candles were lit for the deceased.
"Of course, the grief in the town is very great," said Mayor Desire Beth. The affected hotel and catering family is well-liked, making the service "very important for everyone to cope with their grief." Afterwards, people gathered to talk. "We're a village of 2,300 people, everyone knows everyone. In a place like this, we celebrate together, but we also stand together in times of crisis," she said.
The cause is still unknown, and the public prosecutor's office is investigating. An expert has been commissioned to determine the cause of the accident. Demolition work continued on Sunday.
The following is added to the display of condolences and remembrance: A book of condolences has been made available for people to write their messages of sympathy and support.
During the service, the following sentence was etched in everyone's mind: "The resilience of our community will shine brightest in times like these."
