What happened at the bar in central Paraná
The accident took place at around 11.30pm on Friday at a bar on the corner of Córdoba and Alameda de la Federación, in the heart of the Entre Ríos capital. Guests were gathered on the wooden upper level singing the traditional birthday song when the structure gave way without warning, according to local media reports. The venue was emptied immediately and the area was sealed off by police.[S1][S2][S3]
Those standing on the mezzanine fell roughly two and a half metres, though one report put the drop at about three metres. The collapse triggered a scene of confusion and distress among those present, with crying and shouting as the injured were carried out and the remaining guests left the building in the middle of a heavy storm.[S1][S2][S3]
The injured and the emergency response
At least 15 people were hurt, most of them young people attending the party. Seven were transferred to the Hospital San Martín for studies and treatment of greater complexity, while others received care at the scene. No official details have been released on the severity of each person's injuries or on how the patients are progressing; most of those taken to hospital were reported to have multiple trauma from the impact.[S1][S2][S3]
Rescue firefighters, Bomberos Zapadores, volunteer firefighters and staff from the municipality's urban control office took part in the operation. Their work combined assisting the wounded with checking the condition of the building. The street around the premises was cordoned off while the response continued through the night.[S1][S2][S3]
Investigation into the structural failure
The cause of the collapse has not been established. Forensic police and fire investigators worked at the site overnight to determine what made the wooden floor give way and what condition the construction was in beforehand. The inquiry is also expected to examine the mezzanine's building characteristics and the safety arrangements in that part of the venue at the time of the accident.[S1][S2][S3]
Attention in the coming hours is on the health of those injured and on the findings of the inspections at a licensed entertainment venue in the centre of Paraná. Officials have not yet said whether any factor beyond the structure itself contributed to the failure.[S1][S2][S3]
