Bad Reichenhall, Germany ? An ice rink roof collapsed onto dozens of skaters after heavy snowfall in the Bavarian Alps on Monday, and at least 10 people were believed dead, with other victims feared trapped between debris and the frozen surface of the rink.

In the hours after the collapse, parents called out their children’s names, and rescue workers swarmed around the building in the town of Bad Reichenhall. Doctors set up a makeshift infirmary at a sports hall next door, and fire crews worked to shovel away debris.

A helicopter kept a floodlight on the scene as rescue workers scrambled into the early hours today to find victims and prop up what remained of the roof. With the structure stabilized, rescuers with dogs went into the building a little before midnight.

Six victims were recovered from the building, and another four had been located inside and were believed dead, said Christoph Abriss, a spokesman for the local council. He added that “there are still people missing,” but it was unclear how many.

At least four children were among the victims of the collapse, which occurred at 4 p.m. on a school holiday Monday with about 50 people inside. Recovery efforts were initially hampered by heavy snow, and help was called in from neighboring Austria.

Among the confirmed deaths were two boys ages 12 and 13, and two girls ages 7 and 8, one of whom was killed along with her mother.

Fire service officials said the flat roof appeared to have collapsed under the weight of snow. Local officials said there was a roughly 8-inch layer of snow on the roof of the building.