16 people named accountable for Riga shopping center collapse that killed 54
A Latvian parliament committee has named 16 people who bear responsibility for the collapse of a store in Riga in 2013, which caused the death of 54 people in one of the worst civilian accidents in the Baltics.
The committee found that de facto, there was no construction supervision in Latvia between 2009-2014, and the list of accountable people includes those who decided to abolish a state building supervisory office, and those who refused to restore it, despite warnings, LETA reported.
The list includes former Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, who resigned shortly after the incident, and is now European Commissioner for the Euro and Social Dialogue, and a number of ministers and other high-ranking officials.
Riga's mayor Nils Ušakovs is also included.
The committee's report will be voted on next week in the Latvian Parliament.
Editor: J.M. Laats