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Latvian Prime Minister Resigns Over Supermarket Disaster


Candles were lit in front of the collapsed shopping center in Riga on November 22.
Candles were lit in front of the collapsed shopping center in Riga on November 22.
Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has resigned over the collapse of a supermarket in Riga last week that killed 54 people and injured some 40 others.

Dombrovskis's spokesman Martins Panke said the prime minister will explain his decision at a press conference later on November 27.

The Maxima supermarket roof collapsed on November 21, burying shoppers. Latvian President Andris Berzins called it "murder" and a criminal case has been opened into the cause of the collapse.

It was not immediately clear why the tragedy prompted Dombrovskis to resign as no one had blamed him or his government for the incident.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and Interfax

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