<
A tragic incident occurred in the city of Novi Sad, about 70 km (40 miles) northwest of Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, today, where the collapse of a 35-meter (115 ft) concrete roof at a railway station resulted in the deaths of thirteen people.
At the time of the collapse, around noon local time, people were sitting on the benches beneath the outdoor overhang at the Serbia’s second-largest city’s railway station.
According to Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, at least three additional people were rescued and subsequently hospitalized with severe injuries. Among them are two females that were rescued alive from beneath the debris a few hours following the collapse.
According to local officials, the train station building underwent renovations in 2021 and was further updated this year, with the official opening scheduled for July 5; however, the section of the roof that collapsed was not included in the reconstruction efforts.
A high-speed train link between Novi Sad and Belgrade was launched in March 2022.
“Serbian Railways regrets the accident that occurred, and the causes and any new details from the investigation will be promptly announced,” Serbian Railways wrote in a social media post.
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević stated that all individuals deemed responsible for the upkeep of the canopy, constructed in 1964, will be held accountable, according to media reports.
Serbian government has designated Saturday as an official day of mourning.
