(Original change, updated throughout)
Serbian rescuers searched a pile of concrete and twisted steel in search of survivors on Friday in Novi Sad, after the collapse of a roof at the entrance to the railway station which killed at least 13 people.
By early evening, cranes and bulldozers continued to help dozens of rescuers sift through the rubble, while medical staff and ambulances waited nearby.
The collapse of a 35-meter-long portion of the roof occurred at midday (1100 GMT) on a sunny day in this town located about 70 km northwest of the capital, Belgrade. The dead were removed from the rubble throughout the afternoon and evening.
Two women trapped in the debris were pulled out alive in the afternoon. They were hospitalized in critical condition, said Vesna Turlukov, director of the establishment where they were treated.
“This is an extremely difficult rescue operation that will last several more hours. We have around 80 rescuers from several cities working and heavy machinery,” said Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, present on the places.
The minister told Tanjug news agency that he did not expect the death toll to rise significantly.
Luka Causic, who heads the Interior Ministry's emergency management center, said the operation was complicated by the weight of the concrete and would continue through the night.
“It’s a black Friday for all of Serbia and for Novi Sad,” Prime Minister Milos Vucevic told reporters. “Regardless of the fact that this building was built in 1964, we will insist that those responsible for this tragedy be identified,” he added.
According to news channel N1, the restoration of the station was completed this summer, but did not include the part of the roof that collapsed.
Rail traffic is completely interrupted in Novi Sad, the channel said.
(Report by Aleksandar Vasovic in Novi Sad, with by Ivana Sekularac in Belgrade; French version Etienne Breban and Tangi Salaün)
