Sutaj Estok: Komarno Roof Collapse Might Have Been Caused by Recent Earthquake

Komarno/Bratislava, 25 February (TASR) - It hasn't been ruled out that a recent earthquake may have contributed to the collapse of part of the roof of the client centre building on Zahradnicka Street in Komarno, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) stated at the scene of the tragedy in Komarno, where one person died in the early hours of Wednesday and two others were injured. The Interior Ministry has therefore ordered inspections of all buildings under its administration within the radius of the recent seismic activity. "All facilities, whether client centres or other buildings under the administration of the Interior Ministry, will be inspected so that we can rule out any error or any possibility that something similar could happen again," Sutaj Estok said. The Komarno client centre building was put into operation in the 1980s. It was renovated in two phases in 2018 and 2019 using EU funds. The renovation included thermal insulation, refurbishment of interior spaces and expansion of the client centre. "No complaints or warnings were reported that there was any reason to fear the collapse of the roof. A criminal investigation has been launched by an investigator in the case," the minister underlined. According to the minister, the reconstruction project was carried out through a standard, transparent public tender process. The building designer was also selected through a tender. After completion of the works, the building was accepted without any reservations or identified shortcomings. A structural engineer from the Interior Ministry was called to the scene to inspect the entire building. All the emergency services responded to the tragedy in Komarno. One person died and two others were injured. A seriously injured person with a spinal injury was airlifted to the Faculty Hospital with Polyclinic in Nove Zamky (Nitra region). Another person with a minor head injury was taken by ambulance to Nemocnica Agel Komarno. According to the interior minister, those affected were clients, not employees of the client centre. mf/mcs