Rescue effort commences as 10-story hotel collapses in Buenos Aires province Argentine capital

A devastating 10-story hotel collapse occurred in Argentina’s coastal city of Villa Gesell, Buenos Aires province, at 1 a.m. local time.

Rescue teams are racing against time to remove debris and potentially rescue those trapped, with between seven to nine people, including construction workers, believed to be inside.

The local council revealed that construction workers were operating without municipal permits, and the project had been halted in August due to irregularities.

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Preliminary investigations suggest that the collapsed rear section of the Dubrovnik hotel had been illegally modified.

“At this time, although it is not possible to speak with any exact details about the collapse, it can be confirmed that the structure in the collapsed part [the rear part] would have been modified illegally and irregularly,” the local council added.

“The municipality of Villa Gesell requests that residents and the media be cautious with any information they may circulate,” the statement said.

“These are key moments in which work is being done to prevent the loss of human lives.”