12 people killed in canopy collapse in Novi Sad

(Patria) - Twelve people were killed in the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station, said Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, who also stated that the rescue operation is still ongoing.

A little girl was also under the rubble and was pulled out after more than four hours. Shortly after 4:30 PM, another person was pulled out. The Mayor of Novi Sad, Milan Đurić, stated that more than 30 people were injured. Incidentally, there were benches under the canopy, and a large number of citizens were on them at the time of the fall. A day of mourning was declared on Saturday.

Earlier today, Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević addressed the public from Novi Sad regarding the accident that befell the city.
"This is a tragedy for Novi Sad and the whole of Serbia. I express my condolences to the families of the victims. This is a black Friday for the whole of Serbia," said Vučević.

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić also addressed those present.

"Immediately after the report, rescuers arrived at the scene of the accident within minutes. A rescue operation is underway involving 80 rescuers from several cities, using special machinery," said Dačić, adding that the operation would last for several more hours.

Dačić confirmed that eight bodies of the victims have been recovered so far. Two people survived and are in the hospital, one of whom is in serious condition after a leg amputation.

The minister emphasized that they are in contact with two people who are still under the rubble.

"What you are hearing now are the sounds of activities aimed at saving lives. Four people have survived so far. We are monitoring the situation and will inform the public," he added.

Dačić thanked all the emergency services in Novi Sad and emphasized that the operation is extremely complex.

"I arrived an hour or two ago, and we still haven't made much progress in the extraction. One woman is alive, as is a girl of about 14 years old with whom we are in contact," the minister stated.

In the end, he emphasized that all facts and causes of this tragedy will be determined, after which he went to visit the injured in the hospital.