RIGA — 2013 · Major Tragedy
The Zolitūde Shopping Centre Collapse
On the evening of 21 November 2013, the roof of a Maxima supermarket in Riga's Zolitūde district collapsed. Fifty-four people died, including three rescue workers, and 41 were injured. It was Latvia's worst disaster since the sinking of the steamer Mayakovsky in 1950 and led to the resignation of the prime minister. After a lengthy trial, a verdict announced in January 2020 sentenced the building's construction engineer to six years in prison for violating building rules and causing death; the other eight defendants were acquitted. Victims' families criticised the ruling for failing to apportion responsibility more widely. A memorial site now stands at the location.
- Date
- 2013
- Place
- Zolitūde, Latvia, Riga, LV
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 56.9400, 24.0200 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 21 November 2013The Maxima supermarket roof collapsed; 54 died.
- 27 November 2013The prime minister resigned.
- January 2020The court sentenced a construction engineer to six years and acquitted eight defendants.
- November 2020The full written judgment was delivered.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Zolitūde shopping centre roof collapse en.wikipedia.org ↗
- LRT — Six years after Maxima roof collapse in Riga lrt.lt ↗
- Wikipedia
- LRT (Lithuanian National Radio and Television)
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.