Shopping mall roof collapses in Novosibirsk, search for victims underway
Several people were injured in the incident.
In Novosibirsk, the roof collapsed on a two-story shopping center. One of the likely causes of the collapse, according to specialists, is a large accumulation of snow on the building«s roof.
A crowd gathered around the building after the collapse.
«Preliminary information indicates that a roof collapse occurred at the administrative building at 26 Naumova Street, Novosibirsk. The circumstances are being established, and information on casualties is being clarified,» the Telegram channel of the Novosibirsk Region prosecutor«s office reported.
Part of the structure collapsed almost instantly.
Emergency services and the prosecutor of the Pervomaisky District immediately traveled to the scene. Search and rescue operations and debris removal are currently underway, with all circumstances of the incident being determined. The Novosibirsk Region prosecutor«s office has launched an investigation into the collapse.
As reported by the city hall«s press service, there are at least two known casualties. One person may be trapped under the rubble, TASS reports, citing the prosecutor»s office.
Andrey Kulyov, head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Novosibirsk Region (GU MVD), traveled to the scene. According to the press service, the police received the report at 16:10 local time (12:10 MSK).
«Police officers are ensuring public order and the unobstructed passage of special equipment to the scene. The circumstances of the incident are being established,» the press service added.
The moment of the building«s collapse was caught on video. The footage shows windows blowing out before the shopping center collapses like a house of cards. Debris also fell onto cars parked nearby. Colleagues at NGS.RU are covering the incident live.
Updated at 16:11 MSK:
The search for casualties has concluded. Three injured people were found inside the building. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS), there should be no one else in the building. The shopping center will be dismantled down to the floor to confirm no one else is there.
