A catastrophic roof collapse at the Real Plaza Trujillo shopping mall in Peru’s La Libertad region has claimed six lives and injured 78 people, authorities confirmed Saturday. The iron structure of the food court caved in Friday night, trapping dozens under debris as emergency crews raced to the scene.
Defense Minister Walter Astudillo revealed five victims died instantly, while a sixth succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital. “Our hearts are with the families,” Astudillo stated, adding that 30 survivors have been discharged, but 48 remain hospitalized—three in critical condition.
“We detected no signs of life using rescue dogs, but search operations continue,”
said fire chief Luis Roncal, underscoring the grim rescue efforts.
Mayor Mario Reyna swiftly ordered the mall’s closure, citing imminent structural risks, and announced inspections of other public spaces. The disaster has ignited urgent debates about construction safety standards in commercial hubs.
- 6 confirmed fatalities
- 78 injured, including 3 critical cases
- 30 patients discharged post-treatment
This incident marks one of Peru’s deadliest urban infrastructure failures in recent years, echoing global concerns about aging public spaces. As investigations begin, survivors and families demand accountability—and answers about why warning signs went unheeded.