KROEV, Germany. A collapse at a historic hotel in Germany’s scenic Moselle wine valley resulted in two fatalities and left two more guests trapped in the rubble, local authorities reported on Wednesday. The incident occurred overnight, and emergency responders are working tirelessly to rescue the remaining individuals.
The hotel, which dates back to the 17th century and was renovated in the 1980s, experienced a partial collapse late on Tuesday when its upper floor gave way. Rescue operation chief Joerg Teusch confirmed that one woman’s body has been recovered, but efforts to reach the body of the second victim, a male, are ongoing. “One woman’s body was recovered but emergency responders have not yet been able to reach the body of the second victim,” Teusch told reporters.
Five people have been rescued from the wreckage, all of whom sustained minor injuries. Among those rescued was a two-year-old child, who was unharmed. “I have never been so happy to see a stranger’s child,” Teusch said, recalling the emotional moment when his team brought the toddler to safety. The child’s parents were also rescued and were in contact with emergency services throughout the night.
The cause of the collapse remains unclear. State prosecutor Peter Fritzen stated that investigations will commence once the rescue operation concludes. Approximately 250 police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are on-site in Kroev, a popular tourist town known for its picturesque vineyards and historic wine taverns. Emergency services have utilized a crane and sniffer dogs in their efforts.
The hotel involved in the incident, identified by a Reuters witness as the Reichsschenke “Zum Ritter Goetz,” is named after a medieval knight reputed to have frequented its wood-paneled tavern, a figure immortalized in a play by Wolfgang von Goethe.
Initial estimates suggest that 14 people were inside the hotel at the time of the collapse, with five escaping without injury. Additionally, 21 residents from nearby homes were evacuated, a number revised from earlier reports.
The incident has occurred during the bustling summer season when the Moselle region’s historic wine taverns are typically crowded with tourists.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
