rational geekery

A blanket of snow can transform a glum landscape into a beautiful postcard, but we often forget that heavy snowfall can cause immense damage.  Earlier today (4.50am local time) in Moscow, the roof of a municipal market collapsed killing at least 54 people.

This is the third time this winter that Europe has suffered such a tragedy.  Poland and Germany have seen structures collapse under the strain of heavy snow, and allied with many dying in extreme temperatures this has been a very dangerous winter. 

From Russian daily Kommersant: -

There is some hope that the people under the crumbled roof are still alive, the emergency officers said.

Russia’s Emergency Minister Sergey Shoigu has arrived at the place of the tragedy to personally lead the rescue operation. Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov and the city’s Prosecutor Anatoly Zuev are there as well. All traffic through Baumanskaya St. has been stopped.

Witnesses had heard no explosions or bangs but a strong crack before the collapse, Luzhkov said. The roof is thought to have fallen under the weight of the snow.

The roof of Basmanny market collapsed at 05:45 a.m., Thursday. The project was launched in 1975; its designer is Nodar Kancheli, the architect of collapsed Transvaal Park.

I have been into these types of markets in Russia. They’re wonderful places full of little businesses making a living, and they have a marvellous atmosphere. It’s always a tragedy when people are killed, but especially upsetting when people are just going about there day to day lives, when catastrophe strikes.