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At least 14 people have been killed after a concrete canopy at a railway station in northern Serbia collapsed, the country’s President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 said.<\/p>\n
A young girl aged six or seven was among the dead, he added.<\/p>\n
People were sitting on benches under the outdoor overhang at 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.<\/p>\n
Three people are in hospital. Among them are two women who were pulled alive from under the rubble a few hours after the collapse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In an address to the nation, Mr Vu\u010di\u0107 said he hoped the number of dead would not rise beyond 14, adding that five of those killed had still not been identified.<\/p>\n
“Those responsible, I assure you, will be punished,” he said, quoted by AFP.<\/p>\n
Around 80 rescuers from all over the country are involved in the search, using heavy machinery, which is still ongoing. <\/p>\n
The railway station building was renovated in 2021, and renovated again this year in order to be officially opened on 5 July.<\/p>\n
Serbian media quoted Railway Infrastructure of Serbia, the body responsible for the concrete canopy, as saying it had not been reconstructed with the station. It was built in 1964. <\/p>\n
Prime Minister Milo\u0161 Vu\u010devi\u0107 said Friday was one of the most difficult days in Novi Sad’s post-war history.<\/p>\n
“This is a great, terrible tragedy for Novi Sad and for all of Serbia,” he added, sending condolences to the families of the victims and thanking first responders.<\/p>\n
The government declared Saturday as an official day of mourning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n