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Polish govt orders closure of buildings

Polish tragedy - Three days of mourning
Polish tragedy - Three days of mourning

The Polish government has this afternoon ordered the temporary closure of some large buildings amid fears that their roofs may collapse because of snow.

Concerns follow Saturday's tragedy when a building collapsed near the southern city of Katowice killing 67 people.

The fire brigade and police said the weight of snow on the roof caused the collapse, although representatives of the building's co-owner and operator said the roof had been cleared regularly.

Three days of mourning for the victims began today.

About 150 people were injured when the tragedy happened in the town of Chorzow.

Rescuers earlier ended the search for survivors which was hampered by sub zero temperatures.

The death toll was confirmed this morning after a 34-year-old man died of injuries sustained in the collapse.

The latest victim was one of 141 people taken to 23 hospitals in the Silesia region.

Sniffer dogs trained to seek out corpses are to comb the site of the hall before heavy machinery is brought in to clear the site.