Local authorities said that construction work on the hotel was stopped in August by order of the municipality, as the renovation was carried out without the appropriate permits.
However, neighbors told reporters that work on the building continued despite a stop order.
Monica Mino, who lives next to the hotel, said the building “turned into a cloud of dust and we couldn’t see anything”.
“We heard an earthquake … it was terrible. It’s like a horror movie we’re living in,” she told Reuters.
Minister of National Security of Argentina, Patricia Bulrich Posted on X, external that two specialized teams have been sent to the scene, which is located in the province of Buenos Aires.
She said civil engineers, rescue specialists and a canine team trained in collapsed buildings were in attendance, along with staff equipped with specialist equipment and resources to aid rescue efforts.
Provincial Security Minister Javier Alonso told local radio that four bricklayers working on the construction site escaped the collapse and were detained by police.
