An unfortunate incident occurred at the Real Plaza shopping mall in Trujillo, Peru, on February 21, 2025, when the hefty iron roof of the food court collapsed around 8:41 pm local time. The calamity led to the death of eight individuals, including three children, and left about 82 injured, with 11 children aged between two and ten in a critical state. The incident occurred in an area bustling with families enjoying a quiet evening out.
The Real Plaza Trujillo, located along the northern coast of Peru, stands as the second-largest shopping mall in the city of Trujillo.
In a press conference on February 22, Peru’s Defense Minister Walter Astudillo shared an initial report on the fatalities. He confirmed that five people died at the location, and another person died later in a hospital. The death toll rose to eight after his announcement. Astudillo expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
Among the casualties were nine children aged between 10 and 12. Out of the 82 injured, 30 have been discharged from the hospitals, while 48 are still receiving medical attention. Three of them are in critical condition.
Emergency services and rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the scene to look for survivors possibly trapped under the debris. Luis Roncal, the local fire department chief, confirmed no signs of life were detected by rescue dogs. However, the search operations are still ongoing.
A witness described the horrific moment when the structure collapsed to the U.K. newspaper Metro, stating: “There was a very loud noise and then a cloud of dust where the roof caved in.”
Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez estimated that the collapsed roof area covered about 7,535 to 8,611 square feet. The rescue operation was challenging due to the weight of the fallen structure and the requirement for specialized equipment.
“We need hydraulic cranes to lift part of the roof that has not yet been removed because it is so heavy and to continue rescue operations for those who may be trapped,” Santiváñez explained.
The Regional Emergency Operations Centre reported a delay in the emergency response due to the collapse being reported 30 minutes after the occurrence. The rescue operation also received criticism for the lack of appropriate machinery.
Over 100 firefighters and police officers were on the ground, meticulously sifting through the debris for signs of survivors.
The Real Plaza shopping mall is situated 311 miles north of the capital Lima in the La Libertad region.
In response to the incident, Trujillo’s Mayor Mario Reyna announced the immediate closure of the shopping center due to the risk it posed and revealed plans for his government to inspect other shopping centers in the vicinity.
A spokesperson for Real Plaza expressed their deep regret over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. The spokesperson confirmed that they are working closely with the authorities to provide support to the victims and assist in the investigation of the collapse’s cause.
In Lima, President Dina Boluarte emphasized the importance of aligning private investment with social responsibility and prioritizing public safety over economic interests. She has been widely criticized for implementing a law that requires municipalities to lift temporary closures of establishments within 48 hours.
The exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest that environmental factors, such as the heavy iron roof structure weakening over time and water accumulation from heavy rainfall, may have contributed to the collapse. However, officials have yet to confirm any specific cause.
