A tragic incident unfolded in Peru on Friday night, resulting in the loss of at least four lives and injuring 78 people after the roof of a busy food area in a mall collapsed. The accident occurred at the Real Plaza de Trujillo Complex, located about 500 kilometers north of the capital, Lima, in the country’s third-largest city.
As the rescue efforts continued on Saturday, firefighters and police worked together to search for anyone still trapped under the rubble. According to the Interior Ministry, four deaths and 78 wounded have been reported, with the number of fatalities and injuries likely to rise as the search operation progresses.-initially, the ministry had reported three dead and 70 injured.
Reports from local media indicate that dozens of families were in the food court when the roof collapsed, and it’s feared that people may still be trapped. The victims who have been identified include two men and a woman, according to Commander Gelqui Gómez, departmental inspector of the Fire Department. Among the injured are 10 children, with 11 reported to be in serious condition, as stated by Anibal Morillo, health manager of the Regional Government of La Libertad.
The collapse occurred at around 20:41 local time, but it wasn’t reported until half an hour later. Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez estimated that the area of the collapsed roof was between 700 to 800 square meters. The rescue efforts are being hindered by the weight of the debris, with Minister Santiváñez stating that hydraulic cranes are needed to lift the remaining parts of the roof to continue the rescue work.
The situation is dire, with one of the victims heard shouting, “I’m just here, it helps!” in footage shared on Facebook. Additionally, there are reports of a child trapped under the metal structures of the roof, according to Morillo. The Regional Emergency Operations Center and the authorities are working together to provide aid and support to those affected by the tragedy.
