Time for Real Heroes - TV Special Honors Heroes Who Saved Lives After Deadly Hotel Collapse in Kröv
A new television special will honour the first responders who saved lives after a hotel collapse in Kröv last month. The incident at the Reichsschenke zum Ritter Götz trapped nine people and claimed two lives on 6 August 2024. SAT.1’s Emergency Call Special will reconstruct the dramatic rescue and share survivors’ stories when it airs in primetime on Monday at 8:15 PM.
The collapse of the historic hotel triggered a large-scale emergency response. Local volunteer fire brigades from Kröv and nearby towns, along with technical relief workers (THW), paramedics, and police, rushed to the scene. Firefighters and THW teams stabilised the damaged structure and pulled trapped individuals from the rubble. Medical crews treated injuries on-site before transporting patients to hospitals, while police secured the area and managed the operation. None of the responders’ names have been made public.
The special, titled Buried in the Hotel, will revisit the chaos of that day. Host Bärbel Schäfer guides three survivors back to the site, retracing their escape and the moments when rescuers reached them. She also speaks with first responders about their actions under pressure. SAT.1 CEO Marc Rasmus praised their bravery, calling the programme a tribute to their dedication and compassion.
This episode marks a milestone for Emergency Call, a show originally hosted by Hans Meiser on RTL. SAT.1 revived the format in April 2024, but this is its first appearance in primetime. The network has positioned the special as a key moment to recognise the heroes of the Kröv disaster.
The Emergency Call Special will broadcast on SAT.1 at 8:15 PM on Monday. It will feature survivor testimonies, rescuer interviews, and a detailed reconstruction of the collapse. The programme aims to highlight the coordinated efforts that saved lives during the crisis.
