A concrete roof collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 individuals and leaving several others injured. Rescue operations are ongoing as search teams look for any remaining survivors.
The incident occurred above the entrance to the station in northern Serbia. In addition to the fatalities, three people were rescued and hospitalized with serious injuries. Authorities fear that more victims may still be trapped under the rubble.
Interior Minister Ivica Dačić commented, “There will likely be additional fatalities.” He explained that after confirming eight initial victims, rescuers later identified five more individuals who were also found deceased.
Earlier in the day, rescue teams successfully made contact with two individuals trapped beneath the debris and were able to bring them to safety.
In response to the tragedy, the Serbian government has declared Saturday a day of mourning, and all public events in Novi Sad for the weekend have been canceled.
Concerns Raised Over Recent Renovations
Emergency responders, including ambulances and rescue teams, rushed to the scene, utilizing bulldozers to clear debris and search for survivors. Approximately 80 rescuers were involved in the operation, working with heavy machinery to remove large sections of the collapsed structure.
The Novi Sad railway station, the capital of the Vojvodina province, had recently undergone renovations. Prime Minister Miloš Vučević described the day as “a black Friday for us, for all of Serbia.”
He noted that the roof was constructed in 1964, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse and assign responsibility. The state railway company, Železnice Srbije, reported that the accident occurred at 11:50 AM and clarified that the construction above the station entrance was not included in the recent renovation efforts.
Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesić faced calls for his resignation but defended the project, stating that the building permit for the renovations did not cover the external awning. Nonetheless, Serbian experts have suggested that the renovation work could have inadvertently altered the building’s structural integrity, potentially leading to the roof’s collapse.