At least 17 dead, dozens feared trapped after Latvia mall collapse
Nov 22, RIGA, Latvia — At least 17 people died, including three firefighters, after large sections of roof collapsed at a Latvian supermarket during the evening shopping rush-hour, the country’s rescue service said early Friday.
The reason for the collapse on Thursday was still not known but appeared to have been caused by workers building a winter garden on the supermarket’s roof. Some 36 people were injured and approximately the same number rescued in the debris at a large grocery store in Riga, the nation’s capital, the Fire and Rescue Service wrote on its Twitter account.
A large contingent of rescue workers, including soldiers and dogs, continued the search for survivors Friday morning at the store located in a densely populated neighborhood. Firefighters were killed and injured when a section of roof fell on them right after their arrival on the scene.
The rescue service estimates that approximately 500 square meters (5,300 square feet) of roof collapsed, destroying large sections of the store’s high walls and nearly all its front windows.
Press coordinator for HRO media – Norberto Lluch contributed to this report.
Category: European Crises
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