Peru mall disaster: Roof collapse in Trujillo leaves 6 dead, 78 hurt

The roof of a shopping mall collapsed in Trujillo, Peru, on on Friday evening local time. At least six people are dead and dozens injured. Photo / Peru's regional government of La Libertad via AFP

At least six people have died and 78 are injured after the roof of a food court at a busy shopping centre collapsed in northern Peru, as the death toll from the accident doubled.

Firefighters and police continued to hunt for survivors in the debris of the collapse, which occurred yesterday NZT at the Real Plaza shopping complex in Trujillo, the country’s third-largest city about 500km north of Lima.

Dozens of families were in the food court when the roof fell, according to local media.

Defence Minister Walter Astudillo updated the death toll from three to six and said the number of injured had increased to 78, according to state media Andina.

Forty-eight of the injured were hospitalised, three in serious condition, he added.

Ten of the injured were children, local government health official Anibal Morillo said earlier.

Damage after the roof of a shopping mall collapsed in Trujillo, Peru. Photo / Peru's regional government of La Libertad via AFP

The cause of the accident remains unknown.

Shopping complex director Garlet Rodriguez said the food court roof had been installed in 2017 and passed an inspection last September.

“I’m just here, help!” cried one of the victims according to footage and images shared on social media.

Colapsa techo del patio de comidas de un centro comercial, en Perú

La cifra actualizada de víctimas alcanza ya los seis fallecidos y más de 70 heridos#RealPlazaTrujillo pic.twitter.com/ITh2GwHdAX

— francojc (@francojc_) February 22, 2025

Interior Minister Juan Jose Santivanez estimated the collapsed roof area was 700 to 800sq m.

According to the regional emergency operations centre, the collapse occurred at 8.41pm local time on Friday, but was only reported about half an hour later.

- Agence France-Presse