CHORZOW (Poland), Jan 28: Twelve people died on Saturday when the snow-laden roof of an exposition hall collapsed with scores of people inside near the southern Polish city of Katowice, a spokesman for the regional administration said.

“There have already been 12 deaths,” Krzysztof Mejer told journalists at the scene.

According to police nearly 100 people had been hospitalised and another 100 were still believed to be trapped under the corrugated metal roof.

Those in the hall were attending a pigeon show. According to one estimate, 500-1,000 people might have been in the hall.

“The roof of the exhibition centre in Chorzow collapsed under the weight of snow and several hundred people are believed to be inside,” another police spokesman Piotr Bieniak said earlier.—Reuters