Serbia declares mourning day for roof collapse victims-Xinhua

Emergency personnel work at the site where a concrete platform roof of a train station collapsed in Novi Sad, Serbia, on Nov. 1, 2024. At least 14 people have lost their lives after the concrete platform roof collapsed in front of the Novi Sad railway station earlier on Friday. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua)

BELGRADE, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Serbian government on Friday afternoon decided to declare November 2 a day of mourning across the country in memory of the lives tragically lost due to the collapse of a roof structure at the Novi Sad railway station.

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said the accident marks one of the darkest days in the city's history and is a tragedy for all of Serbia.

Vucevic expressed his and the government's condolences to the victims' families, and thanked all those involved in the rescue efforts.

Although the structure was 60 years old, authorities will identify those responsible for the incident, Vucevic said.

At least 14 people have lost their lives after the concrete platform roof collapsed in front of the Novi Sad railway station earlier on Friday.

Three people were rescued and taken to hospital, and two were women who had been trapped in the rubble, but managed to maintain vocal contact with rescuers.

Emergency workers arrived at the scene within minutes, with the rescue operation involving over 80 responders from multiple cities.

The Serbian government had initially reported eight deaths in the incident. However, in the meantime rescuers found more bodies.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said an investigation will follow the rescue operation. ■