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Riga roof collapse: Six dead and others feared trapped Riga roof collapse: Six dead and others feared trapped
(35 minutes later)
At least six people have been killed and dozens more are feared trapped after the roof of a supermarket collapsed in the Latvian capital, Riga.At least six people have been killed and dozens more are feared trapped after the roof of a supermarket collapsed in the Latvian capital, Riga.
Two of those killed were emergency workers, officials said. At least 27 people have been injured. Two of those killed were emergency workers, officials said. At least 35 people have been injured.
It is not clear what caused the collapse. A BBC correspondent says the most likely cause is the weight of a garden being constructed on the roof. It is not yet clear what caused the collapse. A BBC correspondent says a garden was being constructed on the roof of the supermarket at the time.
The 500 sq m (5,000 sq ft) store, run by the Maxima chain, opened in 2011.The 500 sq m (5,000 sq ft) store, run by the Maxima chain, opened in 2011.
The collapse happened just before 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT), when the shop was busy with people shopping on their way home from work.The collapse happened just before 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT), when the shop was busy with people shopping on their way home from work.
It brought down the supermarket's high walls and windows in a ripple effect that filled the shell of the building with rubble and left shattered glass on the street, witnesses said.It brought down the supermarket's high walls and windows in a ripple effect that filled the shell of the building with rubble and left shattered glass on the street, witnesses said.
About 20 minutes later, another part of the roof caved in, trapping rescue workers who were trying to reach survivors.About 20 minutes later, another part of the roof caved in, trapping rescue workers who were trying to reach survivors.
Dozens of emergency teams are at the scene and as many as 50 people are feared trapped in the rubble.Dozens of emergency teams are at the scene and as many as 50 people are feared trapped in the rubble.
"Rescue efforts will continue through the night but it's too early to name a cause or say whether there will be more victims or survivors," Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Viktorija Sembele told AFP news agency. TV pictures showed rescue workers using their hands and crowbars to pull away rubble.
Ambulance service spokeswoman Ilze Buksa said 27 people had been injured and 22 of those had been taken to hospital. Latvian media later said three cranes had been brought in to remove concrete.
Witnesses say customers tried to run out after the first part of the roof collapsed - but that the supermarket's electronic doors closed, trapping them inside. "There are six people dead, four of them are shop clients and two are firefighters," Latvian rescue service spokeswoman Viktorija Sembele told Reuters.
She said 35 people so far had been injured and rescue efforts would continue through the night.
Witnesses said customers tried to run out after the first part of the roof collapsed but the supermarket's electronic doors closed, trapping them inside.
Rumours of an explosion have been denied by reporters on the scene, says the BBC's Caucasus correspondent Damien McGuinness.Rumours of an explosion have been denied by reporters on the scene, says the BBC's Caucasus correspondent Damien McGuinness.
The most likely explanation is the weight of soil which was being used to plant a winter garden on the roof, he says. He says the most likely explanation being considered is the weight of soil which was being used to plant a winter garden on the roof.
Mayor Nils Usakovs announced he was cancelling his leave and calling an emergency meeting of municipal and rescue services for Friday, AFP reported.Mayor Nils Usakovs announced he was cancelling his leave and calling an emergency meeting of municipal and rescue services for Friday, AFP reported.
"As soon as rescue work has finished, construction experts will investigate the causes," said a news release from his office."As soon as rescue work has finished, construction experts will investigate the causes," said a news release from his office.