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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 35 people have been injured. | Two of those killed were emergency workers, officials said. At least 35 people have been injured. |
| 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. | 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 store 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 store 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. |
| Witness Anita Daukste said: "It was crashing, most people started crying and screaming. It was certain that those left inside after the first collapse would not be alive after the second fall." | Witness Anita Daukste said: "It was crashing, most people started crying and screaming. It was certain that those left inside after the first collapse would not be alive after the second fall." |
| 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. |
| TV pictures showed rescue workers using their hands and crowbars to pull away rubble. | TV pictures showed rescue workers using their hands and crowbars to pull away rubble. |
| Latvian media later said three cranes had been brought in to remove concrete. | Latvian media later said three cranes had been brought in to remove concrete. |
| "There are six people dead, four of them are shop clients and two are firefighters," Latvian rescue service spokeswoman Viktorija Sembele told Reuters. | "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 had been injured so far and rescue efforts would continue through the night. | She said 35 people had been injured so far 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. | 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. |
| Normunds Plegermanis, deputy head of rescue services, said emergency teams faced difficult conditions. | Normunds Plegermanis, deputy head of rescue services, said emergency teams faced difficult conditions. |
| Falls are happening from time to time... it is very dangerous to work inside," he said. | Falls are happening from time to time... it is very dangerous to work inside," he said. |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| As the rescue operation continued, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis confirmed that police had launched a criminal investigation. | As the rescue operation continued, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis confirmed that police had launched a criminal investigation. |
| Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs announced he was cancelling his leave and calling an emergency meeting of municipal and rescue services for Friday, AFP reported. | Riga 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. |