On Saturday, Serbia initiated an investigation into the collapse of a concrete shelter at the entrance of a railway station in Novi Sad, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people.
Reports indicate that the collapse occurred on Friday, despite the weather being clear and sunny.
Rescue teams worked overnight to retrieve the dead and injured from the concrete debris.
At the station in Novi Sad, located about 70 kilometers northwest of Belgrade, renovation work was being carried out.
Transport Minister Goran Vesić stated that the investigations in Novi Sad will involve the state Traffic Institute, the state railway company, and a Chinese consortium that conducted the renovation work.
“The investigation will determine who made the decisions, who signed off on them, and who was responsible for quality control of the work,” Vesić said on state television.
Vesić, the state railway company, the Traffic Institute, and the Chinese consortium have asserted that the collapsed part of the building was not included in the renovations.
Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić announced that 20 individuals will be interviewed on Saturday regarding this disaster, including officials from the ministry responsible for these matters.
“Documentation for the building will also be secured… to identify who made the decisions,” Dačić added.
Authorities have declared Saturday a day of mourning.
People have been seen bringing flowers and lighting candles near the incident site.
The Serbian opposition, which accuses the authorities loyal to President Aleksandar Vučić of widespread corruption and nepotism, has called for protests in Novi Sad later in the day.
Vučić, a populist, and his allies have dismissed these allegations.
On Friday, Vučić vowed that there would be justice and called for harsh punishments for those responsible.
