South Africa shopping centre collapses

Part of the roof of a South African shopping centre collapsed onto an ice rink crowded with children today.

Reports said at least 35 people were injured and about 50 others, mostly children, were trapped beneath the rubble.

The South African Press Association said the trapped included an eight-month-old baby.

Ambulances rushed to the scene near the capital Pretoria and police and soldiers joined the rescue effort, some reaching the site in government helicopters.

Radio 702, an independent station, quoted rescue workers said it would take hours to rescue the people trapped in the rubble.

Witnesses told the station that part of the first floor of the Kolonnade Shopping Centre north of the city collapsed, burying the people under chunks of concrete and rubble. They said the rink was crowded with children on school holiday.