RIGA, December 03. /ITAR-TASS/. Opponents to Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs have gathered at the Riga Duma’s building to urge him to resign due to the tragedy in the Maxima supermarket that killed 54 people.

The mayor himself and Riga Vice-Mayor Andris Ameriks thanked residents for the support when the country faced challenging times.

The protest action has been organised by the Riga Duma ex-deputy, Yanis Martins, who urged Usakovs to take responsibility for the tragedy because the Riga Duma is in charge of construction issues.

The tragedy took place on Thursday, November 21. One of the walls and the roof of the supermarket collapsed. Later, when the area was started to be cleared up from the debris another wall collapsed.

Fifty-four people, including three rescuers, died in the collapse. At least 40 people received traumas. Among them are 13 rescuers. Twenty-nine people were taken to hospital. Other people refused to go to hospital and received first medical aid on the spot.

Last week Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovkis said: “I want to say I’ll resign by taking political responsibility for the tragedy.