Lawyers representing the family of Monserrat Brítez, one of the fatal victims of the building collapse in Encarnación on April 2, 2025, have released details of the first technical report conducted by the Faculty of Engineering of the National University of Asunción (FIUNA).
Attorney Perla Riveros explained that the study concludes that the low concrete strength in some columns contributed to the reduction of the structural capacity and is one of the probable causes of the collapse. However, the report itself notes that the problem cannot be attributed solely to this factor.
According to the report, even considering the strength specified in the project approved by the municipal government, between four and five columns still had a demand that exceeded their capacity, indicating broader structural failures. FIUNA observed that the successive blueprints incorporated during construction did not reflect reinforcements to support the progressive increase in loads, as the project grew from five to eight stories, in addition to the inclusion of a swimming pool.
The experts could not inspect all structural elements due to the collapse and recommended supplementary studies. The lawyers also highlighted the existence of an earlier report, prepared by engineers who inspected the building while it was still standing, which warned that some columns had dimensions smaller than required, compromising the building's safety and potentially leading to a collapse.
For the victims' defense, the two reports do not contradict but rather complement each other. They maintain that the investigation must advance on the compliance with the original project, the expansions carried out, any potential recalculations, the actual dimensions of the columns, the foundation's capacity, and the responsibilities of all parties involved in the project's design, calculation, construction, management, supervision, and control.
The case remains in the investigative phase, and the Public Prosecutor's Office is analyzing the report's conclusions along with other evidence to determine criminal responsibility for the tragedy, which also claimed the life of Monserrat's grandmother, Hermelinda Báez.