The death toll rises to eight on the collapse of a shopping center in Peru

The death toll in Peru for the collapse of a part of the roof of a shopping center in Trujillo, the third city by population of the countryhe rose to eight, including three minors, Official sources reported this Saturday.

“It should be noted that, until the afternoon of this Saturday, February 22, the figure of More than 80 injured And the unfortunate death of eight people, including three minors, “said the Ministry of Interior through a statement.

Since they received collapse reports at the Real Plaza de Trujillo shop The search and rescue of trapped people and maintaining control in the area, “added the information.

“Both PNP and volunteer firefighters will remain alert Even rescue all the people who were trapped, and then continue with the removal of debris and initiate investigations to determine the causes of this tragic event, “the ministry said without detailing the number of missing persons.

Among the deceased, this ministry confirmed that there are an noncommissioned officer Police, his wife and two -year -old baby They had in common.

The big dome of the Real Plaza de Trujillo Shopping Center fell around 20:40 on Friday (1:40 on Saturday GMT) on the restaurant area of ​​the mall, where there was also a child fun park and access to cinemas.

The authorities have explained that, to lift the remains of the dome, a specialized 200 tons are needed. The Emergency Operations Center (COER) has ratified that The risk of collapse of the structure remains, since a part of the dome stands.

The departmental commander of the Fire Department, Luis Fernando Roncal, said Saturday morning that they had preliminary information of four people trapped under the dome’s rubble.

The Royal Plaza de Trujillo is the largest shopping center in Peru outside Lima, with 220,000 square meters and it was closed in 2023 for infrastructure deficiencies, But it was reopened a few days later.