At least eight people died when a concrete roof over a train station entrance in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad collapsed on Friday, the interior minister said.

“Eight bodies were recovered, eight people died… two people are in hospital, one is in critical condition,” Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said. he said.

More people were trapped under the rubble, and Dacic said the rescue operation would take several more hours.

“More than 80 rescuers are on duty with the help of heavy machinery,” he said.

The station was recently renovated

It was not immediately clear what caused the partial collapse, but Novi Sad Train Station only reopened in July after three years of renovations.

Construction work was continuing in some parts of the station.

In the footage captured on security cameras, people were seen entering and exiting the building and sitting on benches before the concrete structure suddenly collapsed on a sunny day.

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic called it “a black Friday for us, for all of Serbia”.

“We will insist on finding those responsible, those who should ensure the safety of the structure. I offer my condolences to the families of the dead,” he said.

lo/msh (AFP, AP, Reuters)