Serbia: Tragedy Strikes Novi Sad: Roof Collapse at Railway Station Claims Eight Lives

A tragic incident unfolded at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, when a concrete roof collapsed, leading to the deaths of eight individuals and injuring four others. The incident occurred on Friday at the entrance of the station in the northern city, causing chaos as emergency services rushed to the scene.

Rescue teams quickly mobilized, with ambulances and heavy machinery deployed to search for survivors amidst the rubble. Efforts proved fruitful when rescuers established contact with two individuals trapped under the debris, including a 14-year-old girl, who was successfully freed. In total, four people were hospitalized with serious injuries, highlighting the severity of the incident.

Approximately 80 rescuers worked tirelessly at the site, using bulldozers to clear the wreckage in hopes of finding more survivors. The building, located in the capital of the Vojvodina province, had recently undergone renovations, raising concerns about the integrity of its structure.

Prime Minister Miloš Vučević expressed the nation’s grief, declaring it “a black Friday for us, for all of Serbia.” He noted that the roof, which collapsed at around 11:50 am, was originally constructed in 1964. An investigation has been launched to uncover the circumstances surrounding the disaster and identify those responsible.

According to Serbia’s state railway company, Železnice Srbije, the collapsed structure was not part of the recent renovations. However, local experts have suggested that the renovation work may have inadvertently affected the building’s stability, contributing to the roof’s failure.