In Guayaquil, Ecuador, a shocking incident occurred when a balcony collapsed, deeply affecting the lives of four sisters, all over the age of 60. The event took place around 21:00, when Gloria Fernández, an 80-year-old resident of the house, was startled awake by a loud noise, mistaking it for thunder. Upon exiting her room, she discovered that a portion of the balcony had fallen, with the debris damaging an air conditioning unit positioned above the balcony. Witnessing the aftermath, Gloria and her sisters faced the reality of the structural collapse that left their home seriously compromised.

Gloria recounted the terrifying experience, explaining that the sound of the collapse was horrendous and felt akin to an earthquake, causing the house to shake. The sisters have lived together in this home, which has undergone remodeling over the years, transitioning from a wooden structure to one with concrete slabs approximately four decades ago. This incident has raised concerns regarding the integrity of their home, which has been their residence for many decades.

The collapse of the balcony underscores not only personal safety concerns for the sisters but also highlights potential issues regarding building standards and maintenance in Guayaquil. As this situation develops, it raises questions about how similar incidents can be prevented in the future and the responsibilities of homeowners and local authorities in ensuring the safety of residential properties.