At Least 3 People Killed and 79 Injured After Roof Collapses at Shopping Mall: Reports

At least three people died and 79 others were injured after a roof at a shopping mall collapsed in Peru this week, according to multiple news outlets. 

The roof of the food court at the Real Plaza shopping mall in Trujillo, north of the capital Lima, fell in as dozens of families were eating inside around 8:45 p.m. local time on Friday, Feb. 21, Peruvian outlet Sol TV and Malaysian outlet Malay Mail reported. 

The three people who died in the incident were two men and a woman, fire department Commander Gelqui Gómez confirmed, according to Malay Mail, citing América TV.

Among the injured were nine children between the ages 10 and 12, while 11 patients were in “serious condition” are being treated in hospital, Mayor Mario Reyna and Health Manager Aníbal Morillo told reporters at a press conference, Sol TV reported.

The outlet also published an official list of the names of the casualties. 

According to the reports, several people remained trapped in the area. Videos taken at the scene showed emergency services and rescue workers searching for those possibly buried in the rubble.

One witness recalled of the incident, “There was a very loud noise and then a cloud of dust where the roof caved in," according to Metro, a U.K. outlet.

Interior Minister Juan José Santiváñez estimated that the area of the roof collapse covers 700 to 800 square meters.

“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,” he said, per Malay Mail. 

The Regional Emergency Operations Centre said the collapse wasn’t reported until half an hour after it happened, according to Metro. There has also been criticism over the lack of machinery used in the rescue operation.

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Santiváñez said in a statement, “We are coordinating the presence of rescue experts. The priority now is to save lives, and for that we need the right machinery," Metro reported.

A spokesperson for Real Plaza said, via the outlet: “At Real Plaza, we deeply regret what happened at our shopping center in Trujillo and express our sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. Likewise, we express our absolute support to all their families and to the injured due to this unfortunate accident.”

The spokesperson said the mall is working “in close coordination with the authorities” on rescue efforts with the aim of “provid[ing] all necessary support to those affected and to the investigations that will determine the cause of the accident.”

“... We are committed to keeping families and the community informed, reaffirming our total willingness to assist those who need help at this difficult time,” they concluded. 

All shopping malls across the country were reportedly closed following the incident. An investigation is ongoing.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Real Plaza and the Peruvian National Police for further comment.