Fourteen killed in collapse of railway station canopy in Serbia

Fourteen killed in collapse of railway station canopy in Serbia

At least 14 people have been killed after a concrete roof at a train station collapsed in northern Serbia, the country’s President Aleksandar Vučić said.

Among the dead was a young girl aged six or seven, he added.

People were sitting on benches under the canopy of the station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second city, at the time of the collapse around noon local time (11:00 GMT), Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) reported.

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

In an address to the nation, Vučić said he hoped the number of deaths would not rise above 14, adding that five of the dead were still unidentified.

“Those responsible, I assure you, will be punished,” he said, as quoted by AFP.

About 80 rescuers from across the country are involved in the search, using heavy machinery, which is still ongoing.

The station building was renovated in 2021 and renovated again this year to be officially opened on July 5.

Serbian media quoted the Railway Infrastructure of Serbia, the agency responsible for the concrete canopy, as saying it had not been reconstructed together with the station. It was built in 1964.

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

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

The government has declared Saturday an official day of mourning.