12 people died in Novi Sad, Serbian railway station had its roof collapsed

The country’s Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said 12 people were killed after a concrete roof collapsed at a railway station in northern Serbia, adding that the death toll could rise.

Serbian Television (RTS) reported that people were sitting on benches under an outdoor awning at the station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second city, when the station collapsed around noon local time. (11:00 GMT).

Three people are in the hospital. Among them were two women who were pulled alive from under the rubble a few hours after the collapse.

About 80 rescue workers from across the country joined the search using heavy machinery.

The station building was renovated in 2021 and renovated again this year for its official opening on July 5.

Serbian media quoted Serbian Railway Infrastructure, the agency responsible for the concrete canopy, as saying that it was not rebuilt along with the station.

Prime Minister Miloš Vučević said whoever was responsible for maintaining the dome built in 1964 would be held accountable, media reported.

Vučević said Friday was one of the most difficult days in Novi Sad’s post-war history.

“This is a huge, terrible tragedy for Novi Sad and all of Serbia,” he added, offering condolences to the families of the victims and thanking first responders.

The government declared Saturday an official day of mourning.