Emergency teams respond to store collapse in Santiago

Santiago.- The National Emergency and Security System 9-1-1 coordinated a swift response on Thursday to a structural collapse at a store in a shopping plaza on Circunvalación Sur Avenue, Ingenio Arriba sector, in Santiago municipality. Preliminary reports suggest that several individuals may be trapped under the building’s beams, though rescue units on-site have not yet confirmed this.

Responders included two ambulances from the Directorate of Extra-Hospital Emergency Services (DAEH), units from the Cienfuegos Fire Department, National Police, and the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC). Traffic management is being supported by the General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transportation (Digesett). Additional support from Civil Defense, the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (Edenorte), and the 9-1-1 Drone team is en route to assist in search and rescue operations.

Crews at the site are actively clearing debris and confirmed treating one individual for minor injuries, which did not require hospital transfer. Efforts remain ongoing to ensure the safety of potential victims and restore normalcy to the affected area.