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Latvia launches inquiry into deadly Riga store collapse | Latvia launches inquiry into deadly Riga store collapse |
(35 minutes later) | |
A criminal investigation has begun after the roof of a supermarket in the Latvian capital Riga collapsed, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has said. | A criminal investigation has begun after the roof of a supermarket in the Latvian capital Riga collapsed, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has said. |
Twelve people are dead and dozens more are feared missing as rescue efforts continued through the night. | |
Three of those killed were emergency workers who were helping people trapped when more of the roof came down. | |
The cause of the collapse is unclear although reports say a garden was being constructed on the roof at the time. | The cause of the collapse is unclear although reports say a garden was being constructed on the roof at the time. |
The supermarket, which opened in 2011, is part of the Maxima retail chain. | The supermarket, which opened in 2011, is part of the Maxima retail chain. |
"The police have started the investigation already," said Mr Dombrovskis after visiting the scene. | "The police have started the investigation already," said Mr Dombrovskis after visiting the scene. |
"The criminal process has started about violating construction norms." | "The criminal process has started about violating construction norms." |
Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis told Latvian TV: "It is clear that there has been a problem with fulfilment of construction requirements." | Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis told Latvian TV: "It is clear that there has been a problem with fulfilment of construction requirements." |
Latvian rescue services spokeswoman Viktorija Sembele said early on Thursday that 12 people had been found dead so far. | |
"Three of them were state fire and rescue service officials. Overall eight firefighters have been injured," she said. | |
Earlier, officials said that at least 35 people had been injured. | |
TV footage showed rescue workers using mechanical cutters to clear debris from the single-storey concrete and glass building. Cranes were brought in to remove slabs of concrete. | TV footage showed rescue workers using mechanical cutters to clear debris from the single-storey concrete and glass building. Cranes were brought in to remove slabs of concrete. |
More than 60 soldiers were helping the rescue effort, the army said on its official Twitter feed. | More than 60 soldiers were helping the rescue effort, the army said on its official Twitter feed. |
The initial collapse happened just before 18:00 (16:00 GMT) on Thursday, when the store was busy with customers. | The initial collapse happened just before 18:00 (16:00 GMT) on Thursday, when the store was busy with customers. |
Walls and windows also crumbled, leaving the shell of the building piled with rubble, witnesses said. | Walls and windows also crumbled, leaving the shell of the building piled with rubble, 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. |
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. |
The reason for the collapse is not known. However, the BBC's Caucasus correspondent Damien McGuinness says a possible explanation is the weight of soil being used to plant a winter garden on the supermarket's roof. | The reason for the collapse is not known. However, the BBC's Caucasus correspondent Damien McGuinness says a possible explanation is the weight of soil being used to plant a winter garden on the supermarket's roof. |
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