In the municipality of Kröv on the Moselle in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, a section of a hotel collapsed late Tuesday evening, leaving one person dead and eight others trapped inside.
Rescue efforts have been delayed by the acute danger of further collapse, preventing the fire brigade from entering the building.
As of Wednesday morning, police in Trier reported that eight people remain trapped in the building, with some sustaining serious injuries.
Five individuals were able to escape unharmed.
Emergency services are working to rescue those still trapped, but the task is proving extremely difficult.
The Südwestrundfunk (SWR) reported that the fire brigade could not enter the building due to the high risk of additional collapses.
To monitor the stability of the structure, the Technical Relief Agency has installed measuring points in front of the hotel to detect any further movement.
Neighboring houses are being evacuated as a precaution.
Half-Timbered Building Collapsed
Images from the scene show significant portions of the multi-story half-timbered building reduced to rubble, with concrete debris scattered on the ground.
Numerous emergency vehicles are present as rescue workers continue their efforts.
The cause of the collapse remains unclear. Neither the police nor the fire department has provided further details.
According to the SWR report, the incident occurred late on Tuesday evening.
The police noted that "several people were able to leave the building on their own and are being cared for by emergency services and emergency chaplains."
