Supermarket collapse in Latvia takes 52 lives, rescuers temporarily halt operation

RIGA, Latvia – Latvian police say the death toll from the collapse of a crowded supermarket roof has risen to 52 and that the rescue operation has temporarily been halted.

Police spokeswoman Sigita Pildava said Saturday that only a small section of the store ruins remained but firefighters decided not to proceed given the risk of further collapse.

The roof fell Thursday evening in the Latvian capital of Riga as customers were doing after-work shopping. At least 35 were wounded; 28 remained hospitalized late Friday.

An investigation into the Baltic state's deadliest accident ever has started, and preliminary reports indicate that the supermarket roof caved in due to either faulty construction or building activities on the roof, where workers were creating a garden area and children's playground.