COMMISSION SET UP TO PROBE INTO ROOF COLLAPSE OVER METRO HYPERMARKET'S PARKING SPACE IN MOSCOW

MOSCOW, March 2, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - To investigate the causes behind the cave-in on February 28, 2004 of the roof over a parking space of the Metro hypermarket (of the German world-wide Cash&Carry network) in the north of Moscow, a special commission has been set up, Vladimir Resin, first deputy mayor in the Moscow government, said at a conference with heads of units within the Complex for the Architecture, Construction, Development and Reconstruction of the City.

According to Resin, a ban has been put on the use of such spaces in all hypermarkets of the network that exist in Moscow. "In such a situation it is necessary to request that the Inspectorate of State Architectural and Building Supervision of the City of Moscow should step up its efforts," the deputy mayor told the conference.

After the collapse of the roof over the parking space near the Metro store, seven people applied for medical assistance. According to Moscow mayor press-secretary Viktor Tsoi, three people were hospitalised. Eight cars were buried under the rubble.

Tsoi supposed that builders had failed to take into account Russia's climatic conditions. In Tsoi's view, the causes of the roof's cave-in are of a "technological" nature.