32
dead in grocery roof collapse in Latvia
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[November 22, 2013]
RIGA, Latvia (AP) — At least 32
people died, including three firefighters, after an enormous section of
roof collapsed at a Latvian supermarket in the country's capital,
emergency medical officials said Friday.
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The reason for the collapse during shopping rush-hour Thursday was
still not known but rescue and police officials said that possible
theories include building's design flaws and poor construction work.
Pictures from residential buildings overlooking the store showed an
enormous crater-like hole in the roof. Building materials were
stacked on remaining sections of the roof, where workers were
building a garden as part of the Maxima supermarket's original
design plan.
The Fire and Rescue Service said 35 people were injured, 28 of whom
were hospitalized, including 10 firefighters. The service could not
say how many people might be trapped under the rubble.
Several large construction cranes hauled debris from the hole, where
firefighters slowly sifted looking for survivors.
Rescue workers periodically turned off all equipment and asked
relatives of missing people to call so that they can pinpoint
ringing phones, rescue service spokeswoman Viktorija Sembele said.
She said work was proceeding slowly since both the rubble and
remaining sections of roof were like a house of cards and could
easily collapse further if a wrong piece is moved or lifted.
Firefighters suffered casualties when large sections of roof fell on
them right after their arrival on the scene.
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The rescue service estimated 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.
The building was completed in November 2011. The Lithuania-owned
Maxima was reportedly renting the space.
Maxima officials refused to comment and said that they would release
a statement later.
The supermarket is located in a densely populated neighborhood
between downtown Riga and the city's airport.
[Associated
Press; GARY PEACH]
Copyright 2013 The Associated
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