AT LEAST 14 people died after a roof collapsed at Novi Sad, a train station in northern Serbia. A six or seven year old girl was among the dead.
RTS (Radio Television of Serbia) reported that people were sitting on benches under an outdoor overhang at the station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second city, at the time of the canopy collapse. Three people were hospitalized. Among them were two women who were pulled alive from under the rubble several hours after the collapse.
In a speech to his people, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, quoted by the BBC, Saturday (2/11), hoped that the death toll would not increase. He added that five of those killed had still not been identified. “Those responsible, I guarantee, will be punished,” he said, as quoted by AFP.
Around 80 rescue workers from all over Serbia are involved in the search, using heavy equipment, which is still ongoing. The train station building was renovated in 2021, and renovated again this year to officially open on July 5, 2025.
Serbian media quoted Serbian Railway Infrastructure, the body responsible for the concrete canopy, as saying the canopy had not been reconstructed with the station. This station was built in 1964.
Prime Minister Milosevic said on Friday it was one of the most difficult days in Novi Sad’s post-war history. “This is a huge and terrible tragedy for Novi Sad and all of Serbia,” he added, offering condolences to the families of the victims and thanking first responders. The government declared Saturday an official day of mourning. (M-1)
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**News Editor Interview Segment: Roof Collapse at Novi Sad Railway Station**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today to discuss the tragic incident that occurred at the railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, where at least 14 people have lost their lives due to a roof collapse. We have with us Dr. Elena Marković, a structural engineering expert with experience in disaster management. Dr. Marković, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Marković**: Thank you for having me.
**Editor**: The news is devastating. Can you explain the potential causes of such a collapse in a structure like a railway station?
**Dr. Marković**: Certainly. Structural collapses can occur for several reasons, including poor construction practices, lack of maintenance, or unexpected load conditions like heavy winds or snow. In this case, the outdoor overhang collapsed while people were waiting, which suggests there could have been a design flaw or structural integrity issues that weren’t addressed over the years.
**Editor**: We know that people were sitting under the overhang at the time of the collapse. How critical is it to have safety measures and regular inspections in public structures?
**Dr. Marković**: It’s absolutely essential. Public structures must undergo routine inspections to ensure that all components, especially those that serve large crowds, are safe. It’s crucial for safety regulations to be adhered to strictly to prevent such disasters. When such inspections are neglected, the risk increases significantly.
**Editor**: According to reports, some survivors were pulled from the rubble hours after the incident. What’s typically involved in rescue operations following a building collapse?
**Dr. Marković**: Rescue operations are complex and require trained teams equipped with specialized tools to safely remove debris without risking further injury to survivors. Time is of the essence, but rescuers must proceed carefully to avoid further collapses or injuries. It’s a delicate balance between urgency and safety.
**Editor**: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić mentioned that those responsible would face consequences. How important is accountability in instances like this, especially from a structural integrity standpoint?
**Dr. Marković**: Accountability is fundamental. Investigations must be thorough to determine what went wrong. If negligence is found, those responsible must be held accountable to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. It can also drive home the importance of adhering to building codes and safety measures in the construction industry.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Marković, for your insights on this unfortunate situation. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
**Dr. Marković**: Thank you, and let’s hope for a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future.