24 Nov 2013

Supermarket collapse called ''murder'' by president

3:29 pm on 24 November 2013

President Andris Berzins of Latvia has described the collapse of a supermarket in Riga as murder.

At least 54 people have died since part of the roof collapsed just before 6pm on Thursday, but it is feared the toll could rise.

Witnesses said customers tried to run outside, but the supermarket's electronic doors closed, trapping them inside.

The BBC reports the last remaining section of the roof caved in late on Saturday.

Officials said soil from a garden being built on the roof of the shop may have caused Thursday's collapse.

"We cannot call it a natural accident, because nature wasn't involved,'' said Mr Berzins. ''This is an event where we must clearly say that this is a large scale murder of many defenceless people and act accordingly."

Three days of national mourning have been declared.

The building, rented by the Maxima chain, was reportedly awarded a national architecture prize when it was completed in 2011.