Roof Collapse Kills 27 at Moscow Market

(Moscow) The snow-covered roof of the three-decade-old Basmanny Market in the Bauman District of Moscow collapsed today, killing at least 27 and trapping others.


From Reuters:

Twenty-five others had been taken to hospital suffering from injuries. Sniffer dogs had indicated 11 places where people buried in the wreckage might still be alive.

"People trapped are calling out. They are knocking. The trouble is: time is going by," Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu said at the scene.

The accident occurred as vendors were preparing their stalls at the start of a national holiday to mark Defenders of the Motherland Day.

Officials said the death toll would have been much worse if the market had been open for business at the time.

Rescue workers poured into the area and lifting gear was used to raise twisted girders and concrete blocks that came down when the circular roof on the building collapsed.

Officials are anticipating the death toll to increase. Currently, about 500 rescue workers are at the scene.

Well worth mentioning is the fact that the market building was designed by architect Nodar Kancheli who had previously designed the Transvaal Aqua Park which collapsed in February 2004, killing 28 and wounding dozens. In my opinion, Kancheli designs appear to have a generic design defect.


[Update 0910 EST]

This report indicates 38 deaths.