Rescuers were today searching for survivors after a supermarket roof collapsed in the Latvian capital Riga, killing at least 32, including three firefighters.
The cause of the collapse at 6pm last night, when the store was busy with shoppers, was unclear. Police officials said a winter garden, involving large amounts of soil, was being built on the roof. The fire and rescue service said 35 people were injured, 28 of whom were today in hospital, including 10 rescuers.
The firefighters suffered casualties when large sections of roof fell on them shortly after they arrived. Rescue officials are unsure how many survivors may be under rubble, but they expect the death toll to rise.
Interior minister Rihards Kozlovskis ruled out a natural disaster or terrorism, but said: “It is clear that there has been a problem with fulfilment of construction requirements.”
About 5,300 square feet of roof collapsed, destroying large sections of the store’s high walls and nearly all its front windows. A rescue team, including soldiers and dogs, continued the search today in a densely populated neighbourhood. Four large cranes hovered over the supermarket as they tried to lift large sections of concrete and steel.
Rescuers periodically turned off their equipment and asked relatives of missing people to call their phones so that they could pinpoint the ringing. Viktorija Sembele, rescue service spokeswoman, said work was proceeding slowly as both the rubble and remaining sections of roof could collapse further if the wrong piece was lifted.
The supermarket, which opened in 2011, is part of the Maxima retail chain. Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of the Baltic country, said after visiting the scene: “The criminal process has started about violating building standards.”
