Three Missing After Multi-Story Building Collapse in Görlitz

Missing Persons Identified

The three missing individuals include two Romanian women, aged 25 and 26, who were visiting as tourists, and a 48-year-old man with dual German-Bulgarian citizenship who was in the city for work. A man who had been shopping during the collapse is searching for his wife and cousin, who may be trapped under the debris.

Two other initially reported missing persons were confirmed unharmed; they were guests of a holiday apartment in the building who had not yet arrived when it collapsed, police said.

Evacuations and Gas Leak

Approximately ten nearby houses were evacuated Monday, displacing 54 residents, most of whom stayed with relatives. By Tuesday evening, the fire department had partially lifted the order, though five buildings remained closed due to safety concerns.

A gas leak was confirmed at the site Monday evening, and witnesses reported smelling gas and hearing an explosion before the collapse. Police are investigating a potential gas explosion as the cause, though official determinations await further analysis.

Cross-Border Response

Polish emergency services, including volunteers, joined German responders at the scene, reflecting Görlitz’s status as part of a cross-border "Europastadt" with neighboring Zgorzelec since 1998. Mayor Octavian Ursu (CDU) acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating: "It was a long and challenging night."

Fire department head Anja Weigel struck a determined note: "Hope dies last," she told reporters as operations continued into a second day. A crisis intervention team is supporting affected families and witnesses.