Memorial garden opened in Zolitūde in memory of tragedy victims
On August 31, a Garden of Remembrance was opened in Zolitūde in honor of the 54 people who died in the collapse of the Maxima supermarket. Survivors, relatives of the deceased, and emergency service workers took part in the ceremony. In November, it will be 13 years since the tragedy, in which dozens of people also suffered serious injuries.
According to LSM English, trees were planted in the garden and 54 metal spheres with mirrored surfaces were installed.
A place of remembrance
Viktorija Ulanova, who lost her mother Natalija Igumnova, said that the past 13 years had been difficult for her family. According to her, there is now a dignified place where deceased loved ones can be remembered. She also noted that those who survived will be able to spend time there in silence and perhaps find peace.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Representatives of the “Zolitūde 21.11.” association and emergency service workers also attended the opening. Rolands Leiņš, an emergency medical vehicle driver who was the first to arrive at the scene of the tragedy in 2013, recalled that the initial report concerned an explosion at Maxima. According to him, the situation seemed unreal on the way to the scene.
Rescuers killed and court proceedings
Three employees of the fire and rescue service died during the tragedy. State Fire and Rescue Service chief General Mārtiņš Baltmanis said that several other employees were injured and underwent lengthy rehabilitation. Some of them were unable to return to service.
Court proceedings to establish those responsible for the tragedy are ongoing. So far, only the building's structural engineer, Ivars Sergets, has been found guilty.
