A collapse of a concrete roof at a train station in northern Serbia has killed 12 people, Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said, adding that the death toll was likely to rise.
According to Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS), the accident occurred at around noon local time (11:00 GMT) with people sitting on benches under the outdoor cantilever at the station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second largest city.
Three people were hospitalized. Two women were rescued from beneath the rubble hours after the collapse.
About 80 rescuers from across the country were involved in the search using heavy machinery.
The train station building was renovated in 2021 and again this year in preparation for its official opening on July 5.
Serbian media quoted the Serbian railway infrastructure agency responsible for the concrete canopy as saying that the canopy was not rebuilt along with the station.
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević said all those responsible for maintaining the canopy, which was built in 1964, would be held accountable, according to media reports.
Vucevic said Friday was one of the most difficult days in Novi Sad’s post-war history.
“This is a huge and terrible tragedy for Novi Sad and for the whole of Serbia,” he added, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims and his gratitude to the first responders.
The government declared Saturday an official day of mourning.
