After the upper floor of a hotel in western Germany collapsed, rescue operations have continued efforts to free the remaining people trapped in the rubble.

Four still trapped after hotel collapse near Moselle River

One person has died and several remain trapped under rubble after a hotel in the town of Kröv, Rhineland-Palatinate collapsed at around 11 pm on August 6.

Of the 14 people who were inside at the time of the collapse, one was killed and eight were initially trapped. Since last night, a rescue operation involving 250 emergency service workers has managed to free four people, a man, two women and a child of two years old while four remain trapped.

According to ZDF, five of the 13 people managed to survive the building collapse unharmed, while some were seriously injured.

Cause of Moselle hotel collapse is yet unclear

The cause for the collapse is yet unclear, but local media has reported that a large bang was heard shortly before the top floor caved in.

Local residents contacted police and the fire brigade to report the collapse. When emergency services arrived at the scene, 31 people were evacuated from their houses in the area surrounding the hotel. 

On the morning of August 7, rescue operations remain fragile. "Due to the extent of the damage, this is an extremely demanding operation, as the building can only be entered by the emergency services with the utmost caution," police in Trier said.

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