Hamburg shocked: Investigations after tragic balcony crash!

Hamburg shocked: Investigations after tragic balcony crash!

Hamburg, Deutschland - The Hamburg public prosecutor's office has expanded the investigation into a fatal balcony fall that occurred in the summer of 2024. According to the information from Bild were named. There is an initial suspicion of building risk. Three of the accused were involved in the renovation of the balconies between 2016 and 2017, while the fourth worked for the property management at the time of collapse. The investigation continues and precise allegations have not yet been published. An expert opinion on the statics of the balcony system is already available.

The accident occurred during a cigarette break when a group of six people sat on the balcony. This broke off and initially hung on the house wall at a 90-degree angle. The fire brigade has determined that balconies should usually have a load capacity of around 400 kilograms per square meter. In the fall, the six people fell nine meters down. A 27-year-old later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, while two other friends ended up in a hedge and others were injured more seriously. As a precaution, the balconies of the neighbors were blocked and are still not usable.

regulations and safety standards for balconies

like WDR , most older balconies are made of concrete, but their condition and load capacity are often not visible. Owners should regularly check the condition of their balconies and, if in doubt, consult a building expert. Special caution is required, especially for wooden balconies that have signs of rotten. Visibly rusty steel girders are also a warning signal. There are currently no state -ordered regular controls for existing buildings. In the case of new and converted balconies, the planning of qualified structural planners must be checked, but the controls are random and not comprehensive.

In order to ensure security, the responsibility for the condition of the building after completion continues with the owner. It is therefore advisable for tenants to contact the owner in the event of doubts about the stability of a balcony and to find out about the condition of the balcony before moving in. In the event of visible security risks, the responsible municipal building supervisory authorities can be informed.

-transmitted by West-Ost-Medien