In a preliminary estimate, 426 people were inside the water park when the massive roof caved in. More than 100 persons were hospitalised or applied for medical aid.
The tragedy struck Moscow's south-eastern district of Yasenevo on Saturday night. Latest reports say the tragedy left 25 people dead - 12 men, 6 women and 7 children. Rescuers have retrieved 24 dead bodies. One person died in hospital. All the dead bodies have been identified.
President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to the victims to the tragedy, the Kremlin press office told RIA Novosti.
Rescuers gave up the search for survivors on Monday. Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov said there was no chance left to find survivors under the debris. Workers started clearing the debris.
However, up to 5 persons may still be found under the debris, according to the Mayor's Office. Rescuers were, therefore, working on the scene throughout the night into Tuesday. No bodies were found thus far, the city civil defence and emergencies department told RIA Novosti.
The Russian Cabinet is working out measures to toughen construction companies' responsibility for what they build. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Yakovlev reported about this decision after a special Cabinet meeting, which was devoted to the accident.
Moscow Deputy Prosecutor Vladimir Yudin refuted media reports to the effect that the collapse of the roof was the result of a terrorist act. There is no evidence confirming this assumption, Mr Yudin told Novosti.
Mr Yakovlev ordered the Gosstroi state construction committee to inspect all recently constructed buildings in Moscow for possible design faults. The Russian Cabinet plans a crackdown on Moscow's booming construction industry.
Gosstroi suspended the licenses of the companies involved in the construction of the swimming centre - Russian architect firm Sergei Kisilyov and Partners, the designer of the project, and Turkish general contractor Kocak Insaat.
