At Least 18 Die in Moscow Market Roof Collapse; 24 Injured

The roof of a wholesale market in Moscow collapsed early Thursday morning, Feb. 23, killing at least 18 people and injuring 24 more. An unknown number of people were trapped in the fallen debris.

Rescue workers are combing the remains of the Baumansky market in search of survivors. According to a report from the BBC, at least 10 people are thought to be trapped inside.

Local officials have indicated that the accumulated weight of snow on the roof was the likely cause of the tragedy. A heavy snowfall hit the Russian capital for several hours before the collapse.

The BBC reported that Moscow’s mayor dismissed any speculation that the collapse might have been due to terrorist activities.

The market is open 24 hours a day, but functions as a wholesale market during the night. The victims were workers and security guards.