Train station roof partially collapses, 12 dead – DW – November 1, 2024

At least 12 people died on Friday when a concrete roof collapsed over the entrance to a train station in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said: “The current number of bodies recovered is 12. So 12 people have lost their lives.”

More people were trapped under the rubble and Dacic said the rescue operation would take several more hours.

“More than 80 rescuers are deployed with the help of heavy machinery,” he said.

Train station recently renovated

It was not immediately clear what caused the partial collapse, but Novi Sad train station had only reopened in July after three years of renovations.

Construction work was still underway in parts of the building.

Surveillance footage showed people entering and exiting the building and sitting on benches on a sunny day before the concrete structure suddenly collapsed.

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic called it “a Black Friday for us, for all of Serbia.”

“We will insist on finding those responsible who should have ensured the safety of the structure. My condolences go out to the families of the deceased,” he said.

js,lo/msh (AFP, AP, Reuters)