Serbia in mourning after train station roof collapses

PublishedNovember 2, 2024, 3:54 pm

Serbia was in mourning on Saturday and an investigation began after the death of fourteen people the day before, in the collapse of part of an exterior roof of a station in Novi Sad, in the north of the country.

Having come to leave flowers and candles for an improvised memorial near the station, residents expressed anger and disbelief after this tragedy. “This should not have happened, it is alarming and no one has an explanation for what happened. Maybe now it’s not even important,” said Ivana Popnovakov, a 28-year-old civil servant.

“It’s weird, they did this renovation last year and no one paid attention to it. Simply incredible. Terrible,” said Ljiljana Radulovic, a 75-year-old retiree. New gatherings have been announced for Saturday evening.

Serbian authorities said the investigation to “determine responsibility” for the accident had started on Saturday. “Twenty people will be questioned already today, starting at the top, people from ministries, from the state railway company,” Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told the Prva television channel.

He said police had seized documents relating to the station from the offices of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure. The Novi Sad prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigation was underway at the railway station. He also ordered that “the Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure be questioned,” according to a statement, adding that the process of identifying all the victims was completed on Saturday.

After three years of partial renovation, a portion of the station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second largest city, reopened in July. But some parts are still under construction. However, the Serbian Railways company clarified in a statement that the exterior roof which collapsed was not part of the renovations carried out.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his condolences and support to the victims’ relatives. “I assure you that those responsible will be punished,” he said on Friday.

A university clinic in the province confirmed Saturday that the death toll was unchanged and that three people remained in serious condition.

Many heads of state and international organizations have sent their condolences to Serbian officials and relatives of the victims. In particular Russia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Greece and the World Health Organization (WHO).

“I ask you to convey my sincere sympathy and support to the families and loved ones of the victims,” Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote to his Serbian counterpart.

Serbia made Saturday an official day of mourning, while Novi Sad and the province of Vojvodina, of which it is the capital, proclaimed three days of mourning.