Thirteen dead in Serbian railway station roof collapse

A factual roof supra the entranceway of a railway station successful bluish Serbia collapsed connected Friday, sidesplitting astatine slightest 13 radical with much feared buried nether the rubble.

Some were sitting connected benches nether the outdoor canopy overhanging the transport hub successful Novi Sad astatine noon (11am GMT).

Interior curate Ivica Dacic said that 3 victims - 2 of them women - were pulled live from the wreckage and hospitalised with superior injuries.

“When we had 8 victims, we knew that determination were 5 much radical nether the rubble for whom we could not found whether they were live oregon dead,” Dacic told reporters.

He said others did not amusement immoderate signs of beingness astatine the country successful Serbia's 2nd city.

“Death occurred connected the spot,” Dacic added.

Ambulances and immoderate 80 rescuers were dispatched to the downtown presumption arsenic bulldozers were removed debris looking for survivors.

CCTV footage showed commuters moving successful and retired of the gathering and sitting connected benches connected a bright, sunny time earlier the factual canopy abruptly collapsed.

The railway presumption gathering was renovated successful 2021 and again this twelvemonth earlier officially opening successful July.

Dacic said the rescue cognition was “extremely hard” and that it would past for respective much hours.

Serbia’s authorities declared time a time of mourning.

Residents of Novi Sad mourned by lighting candles crossed the street.

Prime Minister Miloš Vučević said the “great, unspeakable tragedy” sas 1 of the astir hard days successful Novi Sad's post-war history, adding: “This is simply a achromatic Friday for us, for each of Serbia.”

Vučević warned anyone liable for the attraction of the canopy, which was built successful 1964, would beryllium held accountable, section media reported.