Rescue mission continues at supermarket collapse scene

Several dozen rescuers continue to scour the rubble of the collapsed supermarket Riga on Nov, as hopes of finding any survivors continue to diminish, reports LETA.

Interior Ministry spokeswoman Daiga Holma said that rescuers still have about 150 square meters of area to search through. She added that there is a threat that the building could collapse even further, threatening the lives of the rescuers.

The State Fire and Rescue Service informs that rescuers have also begun to search the building basement, and that support bearing have been put in place to make the area more secure.

Rescuers do not know how many more people could still be under the rubble, nor how long the search and rescue operation could continue.

The rubble in some areas of the site are four meters thick. There are currently 150 rescuers at the scene.

Up to 53 people were killed and several dozens injured when a Maxima supermarket roof collapsed in Riga's Zolitude neighborhood Thursday evening. It is impossible to say at the moment how long the rescue operation will continue. 

Tributes have been flooding in for the victims. Pope Francis and Russian president Vladimir Putin have all expressed condolences.

Meanwhile, thousands arrived at the collapsed supermarket to pay their respects to the victims of the disaster on Nov. 23.

Many laid flowers, lit a candle and offer notes of support.

There is a large spread of flowers at the rubble site, with hundreds of candles lit.