BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Eleven people have been arrested in Serbia in connection with a roof collapse earlier this month at a train station in the northern city of Novi Sad that killed 15 people and severely injured two others, prosecutors said Thursday.
The suspects, who have not been identified, face charges of committing criminal acts against public security, causing public danger and irregular construction work, the Higher Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad said in a statement. They face up to 12 years in prison.
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Serbian police officers scuffled with opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo)
Serbian police officers scuffled with opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo)
Serbian police officers scuffled with opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo)
A March 21, 2023 photo of Serbian ministers Goran Vesic, left, and Tomislav Momirovic in Belgrade, Serbia. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbian police officers scuffled with opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo)
Skirmishes between Serbian police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
People light candles for the victims after an outdoor roof collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Workers inspect a train station after an outdoor roof collapsed in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbian media reported that Goran Vesic, who resigned as construction minister after the collapse, was among those detained. Vesic said on X he came in voluntarily.
The arrests came after a wave of protests erupted over the tragedy demanding that those responsible be brought to justice and punished. Many in Serbia believe that the roof collapse was the result of corruption and lack of transparency that led to sloppy work in the renovation of the station building.
Opposition politicians behind the protests said they were sceptical of the announced arrests and called for the case to be handled by organized crime prosecutors.
“They (prosecutors) have avoided mentioning the deaths of the people and corruption and those are key,” said Borislav Novakovic, a former mayor of Novi Sad. “For the past 20 days all suspects could influence witnesses, tamper with evidence and alter documentation.”
Opposition lawmakers and other protesters on Wednesday clashed with police outside the court building in Novi Sad for a third day in a row, demanding indictments over the roof collapse and the release from detention of activists who were jailed during earlier rallies.
Serbia's authoritarian President Aleksandar Vucic described opposition protests on Thursday as “terror” and “brutal violence by certain political factors.” Vucic said “we will defeat the thugs and bullies ... we are not afraid.”
The railway station building in Novi Sad was originally built in 1964. It was renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies.
The huge roof collapsed on Nov. 1. Initially, 14 people died and three were severely injured, but one of the injured people died on Sunday.
Serbian police officers scuffled with opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo)
Serbian police officers scuffled with opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo)
Serbian police officers scuffled with opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo)
A March 21, 2023 photo of Serbian ministers Goran Vesic, left, and Tomislav Momirovic in Belgrade, Serbia. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbian police officers scuffled with opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo)
Skirmishes between Serbian police and opposition protesters demanding arrests over a deadly roof collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo)
People light candles for the victims after an outdoor roof collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Workers inspect a train station after an outdoor roof collapsed in Novi Sad, Serbia, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — An Australian teenager has died after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos in what Australia’s prime minister on Thursday called every parent’s nightmare. An American and two Danish tourists also died, officials said after reports that multiple people had been sickened in town popular with backpackers.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in neighboring Thailand.
“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,” Albanese said. "We also take this moment to say that we’re thinking of Bianca’s friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life."
They are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes added to mixed-drinks at disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death.
Telephone numbers listed for Laos’ Health Ministry did not work and police refused to comment on the incident.
Australia said “several foreign nationals” had also been victims of methanol poisoning. The U.S. State Department confirmed that an American had also died in Vang Vieng, and Denmark's Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens had also died in “the incident in Laos,” but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning that killed Jones.
Shaun Bowles told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday that his daughter remained in critical condition and on life support.
“We just like to thank everyone from back home for all of the support and love that we’re receiving,” he said. “But we’d also like the people to appreciate right now, we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly.”
In a statement to the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper, Jones' family asked for privacy in their grief.
“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us,” the family wrote.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we’ve received from across Australia.”
The U.S. State Department said local authorities were investigating the case and were responsible for providing any details, and that the U.S. was providing consular assistance.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss,” the State Department said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.
Landlocked Laos is one of Southeast Asia's poorest nations and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports.
Details on the alcohol poisoning began trickling out about a week after the two Australian women fell ill on Nov. 13 following a night out drinking with a group in the remote town.
Thai authorities confirmed that Jones had died by “brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system.”
“Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are far too common in many parts of the world,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after receiving news of Jones' death.
"At this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks, please inform yourselves, please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen again.”
New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning.
“We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks,” New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said.
“Travelers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances.”
Australia also updated its travel advice, cautioning that several foreign nationals had been victims of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos this month. The U.S. did not immediately issue an updated travel advisory.
On Tuesday, Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel where the two Australian women stayed in Vang Vieng, told the AP that staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on Nov. 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them.
The women were then taken to Thailand for emergency medical treatment and their parents flew in to be with them.
“All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak,” Albanese said.
“Bianca’s trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come,” he said. “It is beyond sad that this was not to be.”
Rising reported from Bangkok. Jutarat Skulpichetrat in Bangkok, Rod McGuirk in Melbourne, Australia, and Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this story.
This photo shows the exterior of Bangkok Hospital, in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
This photo shows the exterior of Bangkok Hospital, in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
A woman cleans the floor at Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A woman carries a baby as she walks by the Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Foreign tourists relax at a swimming pool at Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Foreign tourists relax at a swimming pool at Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A woman swipes the floor as foreign tourists check out of Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A foreign tourist buys coffee at Nana Backpack hostel bar in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpack hostel sits in the bar of the hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpack hostel displays a bottle of vodka, in the bar of the hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A notice displayed at the bar of Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A man plays pool at Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Foreign tourists walk in a street near bars in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Tourists eat food at Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Foreign tourists drink beer at a bar near a river in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpack hostel displays a bottle of vodka, in the bar of the hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Tourists talk to a bar owner in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Foreign tourists have a drink at a night club at Nana Backpack hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
