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Rescue Efforts Underway for Up to Nine Trapped in Argentina Hotel Collapse
Emergency crews are racing to locate and rescue up to nine individuals believed to be trapped in the rubble of a collapsed hotel building in Villa Gesell, Argentina. The 10-story Dubrovnik Hotel, situated in the popular coastal town approximately 370 kilometers (230 miles) from Buenos Aires, suddenly collapsed early Tuesday morning, according to municipal authorities.
The collapse has triggered an extensive emergency response as firefighters, paramedics, and police work through debris to reach those feared buried beneath the structure. The local government in Villa Gesell confirmed that ongoing rescue operations involve clearing heavy rubble in hopes of finding survivors.
The Dubrovnik Hotel, which first opened in 1986, has long served tourists visiting the Atlantic coast. However, according to official statements, the building had been undergoing renovations at the time of the incident. Municipal authorities revealed that earlier construction work on the site had been stopped in August due to a lack of necessary permits. The halted work reportedly involved modifications to the structure, though details on the specific renovations have not yet been disclosed.
“The safety of all residents and visitors is our priority, and we are committed to providing all available resources for the rescue efforts,” said a spokesperson for Villa Gesell’s municipal government.
The hotel’s collapse has raised serious questions about building safety and adherence to regulatory requirements within the area. Municipal officials emphasized that they had flagged the Dubrovnik Hotel’s renovation activities previously, but it remains unclear if further inspections or follow-up actions were undertaken.
The scene in Villa Gesell has drawn a heavy emergency response, with first responders working around the clock to move rubble, sometimes by hand, to avoid destabilizing the site further. The local government has not yet released any information regarding the exact number of people inside the hotel at the time of the collapse, though initial estimates suggest there could be up to nine individuals trapped.
CNN has reached out to the hotel’s management for comment, but as of now, no official response has been provided regarding the incident or any safety measures that may have been in place at the time of the collapse.
This incident comes as Argentina’s tourism industry gradually recovers from the impact of the pandemic, with coastal towns like Villa Gesell attracting increasing numbers of visitors. However, the collapse has prompted concerns over infrastructure integrity in the region, especially in older buildings undergoing renovations without appropriate safety oversight.
Emergency workers remain on-site as search and rescue operations continue, hoping to locate and free any individuals still trapped within the rubble.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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