Rescue workers using sniffer dogs have continued to search for survivors in the wreckage of a Moscow market hall overnight. At least 56 people are confirmed dead in the disaster, among them a child. Anxious relatives have been scanning lists to find out what happened to their loved ones.

Fire crews have reported hearing knocking sounds from under the rubble, and they are working as fast as they can as the cold weather bites. The roof of the market came down onto a 2,000 square metre area at 5.45am Thursday morning.

A heavy fall of snow is being blamed, and Moscow's mayor has ordered checks of buildings with similar designs. The architect was the same man responsible for the pool complex that collapsed in the Russian capital two years ago.

President Vladimir Putin's called for a "painstaking investigation" to find out what happened. This is the third deadly roof collapse in Europe this winter - with disasters in Poland and Germany caused by heavy snow.

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A wounded man is helped by Russian rescuers at the collapsed market in Moscow. (AFP)