Bad Reichenhall, Germany – Rescue workers recovered another body early today from the ruins of an ice-skating rink in southern Germany, bringing the death toll to 12.
Police spokesman Anton Fischer said the victim was male but gave no further details. The body was found after rescue crews and dogs resumed their search following a lengthy break forced by fears that the structure could collapse further.
The roof of the rink caved in after a heavy snowfall Monday afternoon with about 50 people inside, including many children on a holiday break from school.
Six children were among those already confirmed dead.
Three people were still feared trapped in the rubble. Hopes were fading of finding survivors after a second night of snow and freezing temperatures.
Before the discovery of the 12th body, authorities said four people were still missing – a 40-year-old woman and three children ages 12 to 16. Two of the children are boys.
Rescue efforts were halted Tuesday afternoon after one of the collapsed ceiling crossbeams shifted. Special cranes were brought in, and workers spent the night tearing away pieces of the facade and the remains of the roof.
They were able to enter the building shortly before 4 a.m.
Pumping warm air into the area was considered Tuesday but ruled out because it could melt snow, leaving any trapped survivors wet and colder than before. Rescuers hoped the snow could produce an “igloo effect” that might create relatively warm pockets of air.
Several hundred people gathered Tuesday for a candlelight vigil at town hall, and church bells pealed for 20 minutes.
Prosecutors launched a probe for possible negligence, an automatic step after a fatal accident.
