Ulm, Germany: Woman survives fall through two balcony floors

A 57-year-old woman survived a dramatic accident in Ulm, Germany, after the wooden floor of a third-story balcony collapsed while she was hanging laundry. The force of her fall was so great that she also broke through the floor of the second-story balcony below.

She was ultimately caught by the structural framework of the lower level, preventing a fall to the ground floor. Emergency services and firefighters rescued her, and she was transported to a nearby hospital with only minor injuries.

Investigations revealed that the plywood balcony floors had been severely damaged by moisture and weather. Although the landlord had issued an urgent warning prohibiting residents from using the balconies due to their condition, the woman entered the area despite the ban. Repairs had been scheduled for the day of the incident but were delayed by one day due to technical reasons. Police are investigating the exact causes and the structural integrity of the building.