Image: Rescue service workers at the scene of the roof collapse. Pic: AP

11 people killed and 'several more deaths' expected after roof collapses at Serbian train station

01 Nov 2024, 15:18 · Sky News

Eleven people have been killed and "several more deaths" are expected as rescuers search the rubble after a roof collapsed at a train station in Serbia.

The country's interior minister Ivica Dacic initially said two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries following the disaster in Novi Sad but later revised it to four.

Meanwhile, emergency services were seen using two large diggers to help free two more people who were alive but trapped under the rubble.

One of the people still trapped was a 14-year-old girl, Mr Dacic said.

"Probably there will be several more people (dead)," the interior minister added. "Personally I saw a body that we could not reach. There will be more, this number will not be the final one."

Ambulances and other emergency teams were at the scene as rescue workers looked for survivors.

CCTV camera footage showed people moving in and out of the building and sitting on benches as the concrete structure, which was above the entrance to the station, suddenly collapsed on them.

Image: Rescue workers at the scene. Pic: AP

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Mr Dacic said: "It is an extremely difficult rescue operation that will last for several more hours. We have around 80 rescuers from several towns working and heavy machinery."

Part of the building has recently been renovated, but Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said the roof was built in 1964.

An investigation is under way to determine how the tragedy unfolded.

Mr Vucevic said: "This is a black Friday for us, for all of Serbia and Novi Sad."

The N1 news channel said train departures had been halted from the station, which lies about 40 miles (70km) northwest of the capital Belgrade.