Thirteenth body pulled from Novi Sad rubble, Dačić says no more victims expected

(Patria) - Five more bodies were pulled from the rubble of the old canopy at the Novi Sad train station, bringing the death toll to 13. The exact number of injured has not yet been determined. Among the victims of the canopy collapse are two minors, including a six-year-old child, said Serbian Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dačić.

Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dačić stated this evening that "the 13th body has been recovered in the accident that occurred in Novi Sad" and added that "they do not expect more victims to be found".

"When we had eight victims, we knew there were five more people under the rubble for whom we could not determine if they were alive or dead," Dačić told reporters.

They, he says, showed no signs of life, and the severity of the injuries did not allow anyone to be helped.

"Death occurred at the scene," the minister added.

He stated that three people survived the accident and are in the hospital.

"A woman and a girl who were trapped under the rubble were also rescued; we only had voice contact with the younger one. This is difficult work, with nearly 80 rescuers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Emergency Situations Sector present, as well as machinery from several public utility companies," said Dačić.

He added that the causes of the accident are being determined.

"State bodies are dealing with this, and they will assess everyone's responsibility," said Dačić.

Acting Director of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Vesna Turkulov, stated that three people in very serious condition were brought to the Emergency Center, two of them women who were pulled from the rubble and are in the operating room.

"Two women pulled from the rubble are in very serious condition. The first was resuscitated in the emergency room, and after stabilization, she was taken for diagnostics, which is ongoing; she has very severe injuries. The second arrived intubated at the Clinical Center and is in the operating room," Turkulov emphasized.

According to her, the first patient pulled out is also in serious condition.

"Three people are in very serious condition, two are in the operating room. These are severe, life-threatening injuries," said Turkolov, adding that colleagues from other healthcare institutions have offered assistance.

Turkolov also added that they currently have enough blood for transfusions, but more will certainly be needed, given the severe polytraumas.

Seven ambulances immediately arrived at the scene, while fire crews are trying to reach people under the rubble. The canopy that collapsed was built in 1964 and collapsed shortly before 12:00 PM.

Novi Sad Mayor Milan Đurić declared three days of mourning for the city territory today, following the severe accident caused by the collapse of the Novi Sad train station canopy. The days of mourning will begin on November 2, the city administration announced.

Tomorrow will be a day of mourning throughout Serbia due to the accident caused by the collapse of the structure at the Novi Sad train station. A day of mourning will also be declared tomorrow in Republika Srpska.