A devastating incident unfolded in the picturesque town of Kroev, located on the Mosel River in western Germany, as part of a hotel collapsed, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. As of now, two individuals remain trapped in the wreckage, with rescue operations continuing to free them hours after the catastrophe occurred.

The unfortunate incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Tuesday when a section of the hotel building suddenly crumbled to the ground. At the time, fourteen individuals were inside the hotel. Although five managed to escape unharmed as they were not in the affected area, others were not as fortunate and became trapped under the rubble.

Rescue teams have been able to establish contact with some of those trapped using their cellphones. However, the rescue process has proven to be incredibly challenging due to the precarious structure of the building. With one story collapsing onto another, the entire building now resembles a fragile house of cards. Fire and disaster protection inspector Joerg Teusch emphasized the need for caution, explaining that any wrong move could cause the entire structure to collapse, further endangering those still trapped.

Over the course of the rescue operation, five individuals have been successfully freed. Among the first to be rescued was a 2-year-old child, miraculously unharmed, and the child's mother, who sustained only minor injuries. The child's father was later rescued from the wreckage as well. Teusch expressed the emotional toll the operation took on the responders, with tears in their eyes as they witnessed the seemingly insurmountable task ahead of them.

The cause behind the structural collapse remains unknown. The original hotel building is believed to date back to the 17th century, with additional stories added around 1980. Although construction work was taking place on the day of the incident, it is unclear whether there is any connection between the ongoing renovations and the collapse.

Witnesses recounted hearing a loud bang and seeing a massive cloud of dust engulfing the area at the time of the collapse, according to regional public broadcaster SWR. The rescue operation involved a team of 250 emergency workers, including specialists trained in utilizing drones, as well as highly trained rescue dogs. The desperate situation forced rescue teams to explore unconventional methods, as traditional means of access, such as stairs, entrances, doors, and windows, were rendered unusable due to the extensive damage.

In light of the disaster, authorities moved swiftly to evacuate 21 individuals from three adjacent buildings to ensure their safety. The hotel guests at the time of the collapse were predominantly German, with an exception of a Dutch family. Unfortunately, two German individuals, a man, and a woman, lost their lives in the tragic incident.

As investigations continue and rescue efforts persist, the community of Kroev stands united in grief, hoping for the safe rescue of those still trapped and seeking answers to the questions surrounding this heartbreaking event.