BELGRADE, Serbia — After a protest turned tumultuous regarding a tragic roof collapse that took place last week in a northern Serbian city, nine individuals have been arrested by authorities. This incident, which occurred at the main railway station, resulted in the loss of 14 lives and left three others injured, creating a wave of outrage among the public.

The individuals being held are charged with several offenses, including violent conduct, property damage, endangerment of public safety, and assaults on law enforcement. Officials have announced they are intensifying efforts to identify additional participants involved in the unrest that unfolded on Tuesday night.

During the demonstration in Novi Sad, thousands of citizens demanded the resignations of high-ranking officials following the terrifying incident last Friday, when a substantial concrete canopy collapsed. Tensions escalated significantly when some protesters began launching flares, rocks, bottles, and splattering red paint on city hall, prompting police to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Many locals attribute the roof collapse to widespread corruption, a lack of transparency, and careless renovations tied to the railway station, part of a larger agreement involving Chinese state enterprises. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage revealed that the accident occurred without any prior warning as the heavy structure fell upon individuals seated on benches or moving nearby.

In response to the incident, government officials have promised to ensure full accountability. Under pressure from the public, Serbia’s construction minister officially resigned from his position on Tuesday.

Although the protest began without violence, it took a turn when some demonstrators began targeting the regional headquarters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party and city hall with projectiles and red paint. Reports suggest that some individuals, presumed to be soccer fans with ties to the ruling government, wore masks during the chaos. Opposition leaders have accused provocateurs of stirring up distress, akin to previous tactics employed in Serbia to sabotage peaceful anti-government demonstrations and frame protestors as threats to national security.

Police reported that approximately 10 officers alongside two civilians sustained minor injuries during the clashing events. The unrest highlights the ongoing frustrations in Serbia over accountability and transparency, particularly in the wake of tragedies caused by negligence and alleged corruption.