He said three people had been rescued from the rubble, the only known survivors of the collapse of a canopy.

Vesna Turkulov, director of the University Clinical Centre in Novi Sad, informed the media that the three survivors are young individuals in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

In response to the tragedy, the Serbian government has declared 2 November a national day of mourning, while the mayor of Novi Sad has announced three days of mourning within the city.

President Aleksandar Vucic is expected to address the nation this evening.