Firefighters search for missing person after Vienna building collapse

Firefighters are searching a building in Färbergasse in Vienna’s city centre for a missing person after a partial ceiling collapse, ORF reports. It remains unclear whether the person is inside the building. The street has been closed.

Ceilings collapsed across three floors of the eight-apartment building overnight on Monday. A 57-year-old woman fell three floors and was rescued several hours later with serious injuries. Her husband survived a two-storey fall by catching hold of a window and suffered bruising and abrasions. An 89-year-old resident was also slightly injured.

Rescue operations took place under extremely dangerous conditions, with loose sections threatening to fall. Specialised teams remained with the trapped woman for several hours, administering pain medication and infusions before taking her in stable condition to a hospital emergency department.

Police are investigating suspected negligent endangerment of the public. Construction work had been taking place in the building.