5th victim found in rubble after family urges search at Paseo 60

Rescue workers search the debris at a hotel-retail complex that was rising behind the Hyatt Regency in Mérida. Photo: Diario de Yucatán

Mérida, Yucatán — Pressured by family to keep searching the rubble for a missing worker, crews found a fifth victim of Monday’s horrific construction accident.

Relatives knew that Enrique Javier Torres Hernández, 47, had reported to work at the Paseo 60 site, and his bicycle was still parked on the property after the collapse. They told reporters they were clinging to hope that he could be found alive.

Although two people were initially listed as missing, all the workers were accounted for by Wednesday.

After several hours of work and with the help of canine rescuers, the body was found Wednesday afternoon.

Prosecutors are investigating possible criminal charges against the construction company, Diario de Yucatán reports.

The accident happened after crane operator lifting a concrete block struck or dropped a concrete block on the seventh floor of the northeast wing of a hotel tower. Concrete and steel beams fell to the ground in a domino effect. Neighbors reported thinking an explosion had happened.

Developed by local entrepreneur José Chapur Zahoul, Paseo 60 was supposed to open in April, with two hotels and an array of retailers and restaurants on Calle 60 and 35.

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