Serbian citizen saves bus full of Turkish nationals from collapsing bridge

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - A Serbian citizen on Saturday saved a bus full of Turkish nationals from a collapsing bridge in downtown Serbia.

Nemanja Bogosavljevic realized that one pillar of the bridge on West Morava river between Mrcajevci and Slatina villages was not stable.

Bogosavljevic blocked the road by his car and prevented the bus from crossing the bridge, according to Transportation Minister Goran Vesic.

"He immediately notified the traffic police and noticed a bus full of Turkish nationals heading toward the bridge despite the fact that traffic with vehicles over three tons has been banned since November last year... Soon after, the traffic police arrived and took the bus out of the traffic. Ten minutes later, before their eyes, the bridge collapsed," said Vesic on social media.

Vesic hailed Bogosavljevic as a real life hero.

"Nemanja prevented a great tragedy and is a real hero," said Vesic.

The collapse of the bridge, which Bogosavljevic recorded with his phone camera, caused concern among the public.

Serbia declared a state of emergency in dozens of areas on Friday due to floods caused by heavy rains.

As of Saturday, 303 people have been evacuated in the country, which introduced emergency measures in 53 cities and districts, said the Interior Ministry.

Since May 26, members of the Emergency Situations Sector were engaged in 798 interventions, with 835 vehicles and 813 pumps and 103 members of the Specialist Team for rescue and water work with 34 vehicles and 38 boats.

Houses and workplaces were flooded after several rivers overflowed, causing road closures and congested traffic.