Markets and Companies

Maxima income is affected by various factors – new stores opened or closed, price changes. Nevertheless, the company's income also reduced due to the Zolitude tragedy, explained Staskevicius.

Staskevicius believes that he shares responsibility for the tragedy.

"It is deeply saddening that we were unable to prevent the building from collapsing. I do not know whether this was in our power," said Staskevicius. Such things can happen to anyone. The investigation will show whether Maxima representatives could have been more professional when taking over the building, added the businessman.

The decision to issue an apology was made by the company's shareholders. The need for such an apology became clear after the press conference of now former Maxima Latvija CEO Gintaras Jasinskas, which caused indignation in Latvia and Lithuania.

As reported, 54 people died and several dozen were injured as a Maxima supermarket in Riga's Zolitude neighborhood collapsed on November 21.

Maxima Latvija former head Gintaras Jasinskas came under fire for his insensitive remarks at a press conference on the Zolitude tragedy. "It is those who feel guilty who resign," Jasinskas said, replying to a question whether the company's executives would follow Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis' example and step down.

Jasinskas said he himself felt "responsible, but not guilty," and that at least he "can look people in the eyes."

Maxima shareholders fired Jasinskas the same day.