Posted on 01/29/2006 3:57:40 AM PST by lizol
Day of mourning to be announced in Poland
29.01.2006, 07.44
WARSAW, January 29 (Itar-Tass) - Polish President Lech Kaczynski has decided to announce a day of mourning for the people who died under the rubble of an exhibition hall in Katowice on January 28.
According to preliminary estimates, nearly 1,000 people were trapped in the pavilion when the roof collapsed. The accident killed at least 26 people, including children and foreign nationals. More than 130 people were hospitalized.
The international show of racing pigeons attracted participants from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Ukraine and Poland.
Police said the roof could have fallen under heavy snow but the building manager has denied the allegations. The exhibition hall was built five years ago and could withstand any weight of snow, he clarified.
Three hundred rescuers are working at the site. Experts with dogs trained to find victims beneath wreckage have been sent to the scene.
With temperatures plunging to minus 15 Celsius, freezing cold remains the biggest problem both for the rescuers and the victims lying under the rubble.
Polish Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz and Public Health Minister Zbigniew Religa left for the accident scene late on Saturday.
Accorging to last reports at least 66 people have been found dead so far.
Prayers for the dead and injured, their families and friends, and for the rescue workers working in harm's way.
Perhaps the number of deaths could have been limited if people were able to escape the building.
My prayers are that everyone will be found who is alive and healed ASAP. I'm also praying for the families who lost someone.
Prayers for all those involved.
President Putin sent his condolences to the President of Poland on behalf of the Russian people as the first one (among the leaders of foreign countries).
Which is really valuable gesture.
President Kaczynski undrelined this fact during his press conference.
GOD bless our Polish Brothers and Sisters. I pray for all of them.
LLS
According to preliminary estimates, nearly 1,000 people were trapped in the pavilion when the roof collapsed. ==
Probably consequances of unusual frosts. My condolences:(.
My condolences to the victims. What's the count now? These things are always so horrid.
Our condolences - as well as prayers for the families who are suffering.
My condolences.
66 dead, and it looks like the number is over (I hope).
Police and media started to say "66 people are dead" instead of "at least 66 people are dead" (like they did before).
Amomg them 2 kids, and 2 foreigners.
Well at least it was only 2 kids. Could have been a park or swimming pool.
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