Overview

• The 2020 building collapse in Düsseldorf, caused by the removal of a load-bearing wall, killed two workers aged 35 and 39.
• Three individuals, including the architect, construction manager, and demolition contractor, received suspended sentences ranging from one to two years for negligent homicide and endangerment.
• Two others, a structural engineer and a general contractor, were acquitted due to lack of direct involvement or negligence.
• The court found that inadequate planning, incorrect structural calculations, and unverified qualifications of key personnel contributed to the collapse.
• The architect’s defense team announced plans to appeal the verdict, leaving the case partially unresolved and raising questions about future accountability in the construction industry.