Maxima owners apologize after mistakes in supermarket tragedy

Maxima Latvija will change the company's development strategy following the Riga supermarket tragedy,, "Vilniaus prekyba" shareholder Ignas Staskevicius has said

Staskevicius, a company co-owner, said the Maxima Group has been growing too fast and its owners have forgotten about important processes and values.

Maxima Latvija had not taken enough measures to prevent the building from collapsing, admitted Staskevicius. He also expressed regret that the company was not able to save its employees and customers, as well as those rescuers who died during the search and rescue operation.

" I am convinced that Maxima has launched considerable changes," added the businessman.

Staskevicius apologized for the wrong actions, misleading and insulting statements of "Maxima" representatives last week. "Maxima" will do everything in its power to guarantee safety and improve working conditions at its stores, emphasized Staskevicius.

He also promised to keep close watch over the planned changes at the company.

At least 54 people died and several dozen were injured as a Maxima supermarket in Riga's Zolitude neighborhood collapsed on November 21. The search and rescue operation continued four days.