German hotel collapse kills two, trapping others under rubble

Five people were able to flee the building unharmed late on Tuesday night, but nine others were trapped under rubble.

In a news conference on Wednesday fire inspector Jörg Teusch identified the two people killed as a man and a woman, who he said died during the night as a direct result of the building collapse.

Some 250 emergency services personnel were deployed to support rescue efforts, including firefighters, police, rescue dog teams and medics.

As reported by local broadcaster SWR, the damaged building in western Germany dates back to the 1600s. It experienced significant renovations back in the 1980s, when an additional floor was added to the now two-storey hotel.

The Moselle valley is a popular tourist destination, famed for its vineyards and picturesque old towns.

One hotel guest quoted by SWR said he was in the toilet when the floor beneath him collapsed.

Nearby residents have been told to evacuate the area given concerns that the hotel building could collapse further.