In Villa Gesell, Argentina, a hotel collapse occurred, leaving at least one person deceased and several trapped under the rubble. The cause is being investigated by prosecutor Verónica Zamboni, who classified it as negligent destruction. Currently, over 300 firefighters, civil defense, and police from the province of Buenos Aires are working on rescue efforts.
According to the security minister of Buenos Aires, Javier Alonso, the deceased is an 89-year-old man, while one person has been rescued alive and urgently taken to a local hospital. The rescue operation will continue until all trapped individuals are removed and the debris is cleared, although it is estimated that between seven and eleven people may be trapped.
The mayor of Villa Gesell, Gustavo Barrera, confirmed that the part of the hotel that collapsed was the rear and that it did not have municipal authorization for the construction being carried out. It has been reported that several workers have been apprehended and are at the judicial headquarters to give their statements.
