Heavy snow causes a steel awning to collapse on top of several people outside shops in the town of Hjørring

A 40-metre-long steel awning outside a shopping centre in northern Jutland collapsed under the weight of ice of snow on Sunday, injuring six people – two seriously.

According to BT newspaper, around a dozen people were initially trapped under the structure which had collected a mass of wet, falling snow from the building’s roof.

 

Two of the injured are still in hospital in a critical condition. One, a 16-year-old girl, suffered a broken back and pelvis. As of early Monday, the girl’s condition had reportedly stabilised.

The other, a 76-year-old man, had to have his lower leg amputated after it was trapped under the fallen metal.

Police still have the area cordoned off and are cautioning people to be aware of any overhead structures and the danger of falling icicles.

‘I would generally advise people to look up and keep their distance from walls,’ said officer Peter Redder of North Jutland Police. ‘The snow is pretty heavy right now and you need to think about where you’re walking.’

Northern Jutland has received the most of the nation’s heavy snowfall, with some areas currently under up to 70cm of snow.