The right tube of Serbia's longest tunnel, a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative constructed by Chinese firms, was drilled through on Friday, witnessed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
At the Iriski Venac construction site, Vucic said that as an important part of the new transportation artery in northern Serbia, the tunnel will effectively ease traffic pressure after its completion, and boost tourism, logistics and other industries in the Fruska Gora area. The project will also further promote practical cooperation between China and Serbia in transportation, energy and infrastructure, said the president.
"This project is a source of pride for all Serbian citizens. We are very grateful to our Chinese partners, because without them we would not have the knowhow nor the ability to have this work done," Vucic said.
The twin-tube tunnel, part of the 44.41-km Fruska Gora Corridor linking Novi Sad and Ruma, will span approximately 3.5 km in each direction, with a design speed of 80 kilometers per hour.
The construction team said the drilling through of the right tube not only marks the safe completion of the tunnel's main structure, but also provides a valuable technical template for the subsequent construction of the left tube, which is expected to be drilled through in mid-November.
Right tube of Serbia's longest tunnel drilled through
Due to the pressure on essential services caused by prolonged power shortages, Gaza residents are facing limited access to water, healthcare and sanitation, further deteriorating the already fragile humanitarian situation.
In Gaza, power cuts have become a daily reality. With electricity available only intermittently, many civilians are struggling to carry out even the most basic tasks.
The consequences are widespread, affecting everything from water supply systems to critical infrastructure. As outages persist, maintaining essential services is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
"I carry water in small containers. We don't have a large water tank, not even 500 liters, so we have to keep going back and forth, and water is not always available. Sometimes my son returns without being able to fill it," Mohammad Habib, a displaced Palestinian, told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
This ongoing energy crisis has also had a severe impact on critical hospitals, which rely heavily on generators to continue operating.
"If the generators stop, it will be a catastrophe and a real danger to everyone in the hospital, especially premature babies, dialysis patients and those in intensive care, as well as blood banks. Most departments would shut down. We are sounding the alarm that hospitals will stop functioning if fuel and oil are not allowed in as soon as possible," said Mohammad Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital.
International humanitarian organizations have warned of a potential collapse of essential services in Gaza if electricity supplies are disrupted. "Hospitals and medical centers in Gaza that are still able to function work under immense pressure and at risk of collapse. These hospitals work with shortages in energy, medical supplies and equipment," said Amani Al-Naouq, spokesperson for International Committee of Red Cross in Gaza.
According to Gaza's municipality, about 75 water wells rely on electricity and are at risk of shutting down, which would worsen conditions for displaced families whose homes have been destroyed.
Power shortages intensify humanitarian crisis in Gaza
