Serbia opens probe into railway building disaster that killed 14

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Investigation to include state Traffic Institute, railway company, and Chinese consortium

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People bring flowers and light candles near site of disaster

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Opposition calls for protest in Novi Sad

NOVI SAD, Serbia, - Serbia wound up a rescue operation and opened an investigation on Saturday into a roof collapse that killed 14 and injured three at a railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad.

The disaster happened on Friday when a length of roofing along the entrance to the station collapsed on a sunny day. Rescuers worked into the night, using heavy construction machinery, to free the dead and wounded from under the rubble.

The station in the city about 70 km northwest of Belgrade underwent renovations in 2021 and 2022. Other minor works continued until July this year when the transportation ministry said that a total of 16 million euros had been invested in the renovation.

Transport Minister Goran Vesic said the inquiry, opened by authorities in Novi Sad, would include the state Traffic Institute, state railway company and the Chinese consortium that undertook the renovation work.

"The investigation will determine ... who made decisions and put seals and signatures, who was in charge of controlling the 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 Construction Company , that renovated the building, all said that the part of the building that collapsed was not a part of the works.

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

"The documentation about the building will be obtained ... about who made the decisions," Dacic added.

Authorities declared Saturday a national day of mourning.

On Saturday morning, people brought flowers and lit candles near the site. Workers were clearing away the last of the rubble.

Serbia's opposition, which accuses authorities loyal to President Aleksandar Vucic of rampant corruption, nepotism and excessive red tape, called for a protest in downtown Novi Sad later in the day.

Vucic, a populist, and his allies deny such allegations. In a televised address late on Friday the president promised justice and demanded harsh punishment for those responsible.

As he spoke, hundreds of people lit candles at a vigil outside the city hall to honour the victims of the disaster. Sorrow was gradually evolving into anger.

"We demand to know who is responsible for this because someone is," said 27-year old resident Mila Jovic, who attended the vigil.

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