On February 21, 2025, at approximately 8:40 PM local time, the roof of the food court at the Real Plaza shopping center in Trujillo, Peru, collapsed, resulting in at least three fatalities and 79 injuries. The deceased include two men and one woman, with reports indicating that one of the victims was a minor. Among the injured are nine children aged between 10 and 12 years, and eleven individuals are in serious condition.
Witnesses described hearing a loud noise followed by a cloud of dust as the roof caved in. Emergency responders, including over 200 police officers and firefighters, promptly initiated search and rescue operations to locate survivors trapped under the debris. Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez estimated that the collapsed roof area spanned between 700 to 800 square meters and emphasized the need for hydraulic cranes to lift heavy sections of the roof to continue rescue efforts.
In response to the tragedy, Real Plaza management issued a statement expressing deep regret and extending condolences to the families of the deceased and support to the injured.
As a gesture of mourning and solidarity, all Real Plaza shopping centers nationwide were closed on Saturday, February 22. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.
This incident has raised concerns about building safety standards in Peru, prompting calls for thorough inspections and adherence to construction regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
