Updated 12.55

The Latvian Prime Minister has resigned over the collapse of a supermarket that killed 54 people.

A spokesperson for the Premier said 'the government takes political reponsibility for the tragedy' in the capital Riga last week, and a new government is needed that has the 'clear support of the parliament'.

It's not yet clear if the President will push for a snap election or try to form a new government with the existing parliament.

Latvian supermarket becomes disaster scene in collapse last week

The cave-in of the supermarket roof was the country's worst ever peacetime disaster. It happened at around 6pm on Thursday evening when the store was busy with shoppers on their way home from work. Firefighters were injured by a second collapse shortly after their arrival on the scene.

Visiting the scene, the Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis said police had launched a criminal investigation into the cause of the incident.

Council official Juris Radzevics confirmed that the roof of the supermarket, built in 2011, was in the process of being turned into a green area.

"The project was submitted in accordance with all regulations but of course we will be looking at whether materials and works were carried out to the proper standards," Mr. Radzevics told Latvian television.

Latvia observed three days of mourning after last week's disaster.

Forty people were injured in the disaster.