 "Food court collapses in Peru shopping complex; at least 3 dead, 74 injured")
At least three people were killed and about 74 others injured, up from 20 reported earlier, when the roof of a food court at a busy shopping center collapsed in northern Peru, authorities said Friday (February 21).
“So far, we have three deceased– two men and a woman,” fire department Commander Gelqui Gomez told America TV.
The incident occurred at the Real Plaza shopping complex in Trujillo, Peru’s third-largest city, located about 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of the capital, Lima.
According to the health ministry, approximately 74 people were injured and transported to nearby hospitals.
Rescue operations continued late into the night, with more than 100 firefighters and police officers searching through the rubble for survivors.
“There is a child trapped” under the metal structures of the collapsed roof, Aníbal Morillo, a local government health official, told broadcaster Panamericana.
“We have evacuated 74 injured to hospitals and clinics, 10 of whom are children. There are 11 seriously injured,” Morillo told RPP radio.
The Regional Emergency Operations Center reported that the collapse took place at 8:41 p.m. but was only reported roughly half an hour later.
Interior Minister Juan Jose Santivanez estimated the collapsed roof area was 700 to 800 square meters.
“We need hydraulic cranes to lift part of the roof that has not yet been removed because it is so heavy and to continue rescue operations for those who may be trapped,” the minister told Canal N television channel.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAuthorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the collapse, and the search for survivors remains ongoing.
With inputs from agencies
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