Emergency crews in eastern Germany continued their search Tuesday morning for three individuals trapped beneath debris after a structure collapsed Monday evening in Görlitz, a city located near the Polish border.
Authorities believe a gas explosion may have triggered the building’s collapse, which occurred Monday night.
Rescue workers approached the site with extreme care due to potential gas leak hazards, according to German news agency dpa.
Following failed efforts to find the missing individuals using search dogs, rescue teams started removing debris with excavation equipment and manual labor at approximately 2 a.m. Tuesday.
Earlier fears that as many as five individuals could be buried beneath the wreckage proved to be incorrect, authorities confirmed.
A man concerned that his wife and cousin might be trapped beneath the debris explained Monday that they had come that day for a holiday stay at the rented property. While purchasing items at a local supermarket, he heard an explosion and returned to discover only a massive pile of rubble where the house had stood, dpa reported.
The destroyed structure featured historic Wilhelminian architecture and housed rental and vacation units, authorities said.
Görlitz serves as Germany’s easternmost municipality, home to 57,000 residents. Its well-preserved historic center frequently serves as a backdrop for international movie productions.
