At least 14 killed after railway station roof collapses in Serbia
Rescue workers search for victims in the aftermath of a collapsed roof at a train station in Novi Sad
By Sophie Tanno and Stephanie Halasz, CNN
(CNN) — At least 14 people have died after the roof of a railway station collapsed in northern Serbia on Friday, according to CNN affiliate N1.
Serbia’s interior minister, Ivica Dačić, announced the updated death toll, N1 said, adding that rescue operations are still underway in the city of Novi Sad, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) northwest of the capital Belgrade.
More than 30 people were injured, according to local media reports. Two survivors pulled from the rubble are currently in hospital, a statement from the Interior Ministry said.
Rescuers are in contact with two others still stuck under the rubble, Dačić said. “We are working on getting them out,” he said.
Rescuers were at the scene of the accident within minutes of an emergency call being made, according to Dačić. Nearly 80 rescuers have been deployed to the scene, he said.
The rescue operation is expected to take several more hours.
Local residents lit candles outside the train station, with the government declaring a day of mourning on Saturday, according to N1.
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević offered his condolences to families of victims affected by the disaster, while thanking first responders.
Vučević added that those responsible for the collapse would be held accountable.
“I assure you that the responsible will be punished,” N1 reported him as saying, citing his appearance on Serbian state TV Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).
According to N1, the station’s roof was renovated in 2021. More renovation work took place months later, and the building was officially reopened on July 5 this year.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
The-CNN-Wire
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