Eight people died in a train station collapse in Serbia Construction News

At least two people were hospitalized with serious injuries after the incident that took place in the city of Novi Sad.

At least eight people have died after a concrete roof collapsed on the entrance to a railway station in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad.

At least two other people were hospitalized with serious injuries on Friday, Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said.

The minister said rescuers contacted two people who were still trapped under the debris.

“This project is still ongoing and has a great challenge. More than 80 rescuers are involved, with the help of heavy equipment,” he added.

Ambulances and other emergency teams were sent to the station in the center of the city and tractors were clearing the debris in search of survivors.

Surveillance camera footage showed people walking in and out of the building and sitting on benches on a bright, sunny day before the concrete canopy suddenly collapsed on them.

The station, located in Serbia’s second largest city, reopened in July after three years of renovation work. Construction work was going on in parts of the station.

Dacic said the rescue operation was “very difficult” and would take at least a few more hours.

The Blood Transfusion Institute in Novi Sad appealed to residents to donate blood following the accident.

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic promised that the authorities would investigate the cause of the accident.

“We will insist that those responsible are found, those who should be ensuring the safety of this structure. I offer my condolences to the families of the deceased,” said the prime minister.

“This is a black Friday for us, for all of Serbia, for Novi Sad,” he added.

Serbia Railways said in a statement that the collapsed outer roof was not part of the completed repairs at the station. It said the accident happened at 11:50am local time (10:50 GMT).

“Serbia Railways regrets the accident that occurred, and the causes and any new details of the investigation will be announced as soon as possible,” the company wrote on its social media.

Local media said dozens of people were injured. The mayor’s office in the city acknowledged the incident but did not say how many were injured.

The N1 news channel said trains were suspended at the station 70km (43 miles) northwest of the capital Belgrade.