Updated 22.42 | Published 22.36
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EASTERN SUND. The operation at the roof collapse in the shopping center will continue during the night.
The task leaders still do not know if anyone is trapped during the collapse in the store.
– In the last month alone, several roofs have collapsed here in Östersund. Now that will be enough, says a woman who lives in the area.
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The sun has set in Östersund when an elderly couple stops at the police cordons around the Lillänge shopping center.
The man and woman look at the emergency services, whose patrol is standing in a circle in the parking lot in front of the Intersport store.
– You know people who usually shop here. At the latest yesterday, my grandson was inside Intersport. It’s terrible that this could happen, says the woman and puts her hand over her mouth.
The man agrees. He nods quietly and zips up his jacket before firmly saying:
– This should not be able to happen in Sweden. This must be investigated and we must get answers to how such a serious accident could have happened.
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full screen The intervention at the roof collapse will continue during the night. Photo: Magnus Sandberg
30 people in the shopping centre
The first calls to 112 came in at lunchtime on Sunday. Around 30 people were then inside the building.
At least six people were inside Intersport.
– We estimate it to be a roof area of 30 by 45 meters that collapsed, says Johan Wickenberg, the rescue service’s operations leader in Jämtland.
Three people were able to get out of the store themselves, while three people were stuck in the rubble. They had the emergency services evacuate.
– They were taken to hospital with minor injuries and have been allowed to leave the hospital now, says Wickenberg on Sunday evening.
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full screenJohan Wickenberg, the rescue service’s operations manager in Jämtland. Photo: Magnus Sandberg
Special forces from Norway
Regional operations leader Karl Grove lifts the blue police cordons before stepping out onto the sidewalk.
He crosses his arms and tells us that it was an intensive rescue effort.
– At the same time, there has been a lot of waiting, because the special forces from Stockholm and Norway have been called here to ensure that we can work in a safe manner. We don’t want more roofs to collapse when our staff are in there, he says.
The mountain rescue has also helped during the day. Their search dogs marked two places inside the store already during the morning.
– The places where the dogs marked were easily accessible to our staff. After we searched at the markers, we now know that no one is left right there. That being said, it has not been determined that no one is left in the store, Grove explains.
The police: Investigating work environment violations
It is still unclear what caused the roof to collapse. But one of the rescue service’s theories is that heavy snow could be behind the accident.
– It is lucky that it happened during the time it did. Many were probably at home watching the Vasaloppet or the biathlon on TV, says mission leader Wickenberg and continues:
– I don’t even want to think about what could have happened if this happened during rush hour or inside ICA.
The police have now started a preliminary investigation into work environment violations and causing bodily harm. At this time, there are no suspects.
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Regional operations leader Karl Grove.
1 / 2Photo: Magnus Sandberg
“This is not normal”
In recent months, several roofs of buildings in Östersund have collapsed.
Among other things, roofs collapsed to a vehicle hall in Brynje, a padel hall in Torsvalla and a warehouse in the area around Brittbo – in February.
– It is a worrying trend. This many roofs should not collapse in such a short time. It’s not normal, says Wickenberg.
The State Accident Commission infoclose The State Accident Commission The State Accident Commission is an authority whose task is to investigate all types of serious civilian or military accidents. The authority can use additional investigations when there is a risk of a serious accident. has now contacted the rescue service in Jämtland.
– They want to look more closely at these accidents. We need to look at what happened from a larger perspective. Maybe it’s about the building regulations needing to change. We may also need to place higher demands on property owners’ maintenance routines.
Wickenberg says that he understands if residents feel worried about more roofs collapsing into the municipality.
– With the facts in hand, so far we have not suffered anyone who has been seriously injured or died due to the accidents. But it is the result of circumstances. Now we need to seriously review this.
According to the emergency services, there is no indication that anyone is still in the store after the collapse – but their highest priority is to be able to ensure that, says Wickenberg
– We will continue this work during the night and really as long as necessary.