A hotel undergoing renovations in Argentina experienced a tragic collapse on Tuesday, resulting in one fatality and leaving at least seven individuals trapped beneath the debris. The incident occurred at the Dubrovnik Hotel located in Villa Gesell, a coastal city situated approximately 217 miles (350 km) south of Buenos Aires.

Emergency response teams, including firefighters, have been actively searching for individuals who may have survived the collapse. During their efforts, they successfully rescued a woman who was found alive amidst the rubble. According to local authorities, an 80-year-old man was confirmed dead following the incident.

In light of the collapse, a prosecutor has initiated an investigation to ascertain the factors leading to this unfortunate event. Reports from the municipality of Villa Gesell indicated that the hotel was undergoing renovations without the necessary permits, raising questions about the compliance and safety measures in place during the construction work.

Javier Alonso, the security minister of Buenos Aires province, stated that the situation remains critical, with estimates suggesting that between seven and nine workers, likely masons involved in the hotel’s renovation, are still missing and trapped within the structure. Rescue teams have begun the painstaking process of clearing the rubble by hand, while awaiting the arrival of cranes and engineers to assist in evaluating the scene and continuing the search efforts.