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Serbia opens probe into train structure disaster that killed 14

Serbia ended up a. rescue operation and opened an examination on Saturday into a. roofing collapse that killed 14 people and injured three at a. railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad.

At least 2 children were among those eliminated in the. disaster, which happened on Friday when a length of roofing. along the entryway to the station collapsed on a warm day.

Rescuers infiltrated the night, using heavy building. machinery, to release the dead and wounded from under the debris.

The station in the city about 70 km (40 miles) northwest of. Belgrade went through restorations in 2021 and 2022. Other small. works continued up until July this year when the Transportation Ministry. stated a total of 16 million euros ($ 17.33 million) had actually been. bought the renovation.

Transport Minister Goran Vesic stated on Saturday the inquiry,. opened by district attorneys in Novi Sad, would include the state. Traffic Institute, state railway company and the Chinese. consortium that undertook the remodelling work.

The investigation will determine ... who made choices and. put seals and signatures, who was in charge of controlling the. ( quality of) works, Vesic said in a TV broadcast.

Vesic, state Serbian Railways company, the state Traffic. Institute and the Chinese consortium - China Railway. International Co. Ltd and China Communications Building. Business (CRIC-CCCC), that remodelled the building, all said on. Friday that the part of the structure that collapsed was not a. part of the works.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated 20 individuals would be. spoken with by authorities on Saturday in connection with the. disaster, including people from the ministry in charge and the. state railways operator.

The documents about the structure will (likewise) be. obtained ... about who made the decisions, Dacic included.

Authorities declared Saturday a nationwide day of grieving.

The University Medical Center (UKC) in Novi Sad stated in a. declaration that the three injured people remained in intensive. care.

On Saturday early morning, individuals brought flowers and toys, and. lit candles near the website. Workers were removing the last. of the debris.

I am sorry about individuals and we must make sure for. something like this never to occur once again, stated Hair Gostovic,. 75, a pensioner from Novi Sad.

Serbia's opposition, which accuses authorities faithful to. President Aleksandar Vucic of rampant corruption, nepotism and. extreme bureaucracy, required a protest in downtown Novi Sad. later in the day.

Vucic, a populist, and his allies reject such accusations. In. a televised address late on Friday the president assured. justice and demanded severe penalty for those responsible.

(source: Reuters)