A tragic incident at a bustling shopping mall in northern Peru has left at least three people dead and 74 others injured after the roof of a food court gave way, authorities confirmed on Friday.
Commander Gelqui Gomez of the fire department told America TV that the victims included two men and one woman.
Initially, the health ministry reported 20 injuries, but Anibal Morillo, a local health official, later updated the figure to 74.
“We have transported 74 injured individuals to hospitals and clinics, including 10 children. Among them, 11 are in critical condition,” Morillo told RPP Radio.
The collapse took place at the Real Plaza shopping centre in Trujillo, Peru’s third-largest city, located about 500 kilometres (310 miles) north of the capital, Lima. Dozens of families were in the food court when the roof suddenly caved in, according to local media reports.
Rescue efforts underway
Emergency responders, including over a hundred firefighters and police officers, are actively searching through the debris for survivors.
“There is a child trapped under the collapsed metal structure,” Morillo revealed to Panamericana TV.
Interior Minister Juan Jose Santivanez estimated that the affected roof section spanned between 700 and 800 square meters.
“We urgently need hydraulic cranes to lift the remaining heavy sections of the roof and continue rescue efforts for those who may still be trapped,” Santivanez told Canal N.
According to the Regional Emergency Operations Center, the incident occurred at 8:41 p.m., but authorities were only alerted about 30 minutes later.