BELGRADE, Serbia — On Monday, demonstrators in Serbia took to the streets to express their outrage over the tragic collapse of a concrete roof at a railway station that claimed the lives of 14 individuals earlier this month. The protesters called for the arrest of those accountable, as well as the resignation of prominent officials connected to the incident.

The gathering in Belgrade highlighted the connection between the incident and issues of widespread corruption, citing inadequate renovation work on the rail station located in Novi Sad. This station is part of a broader agreement involving Chinese state enterprises that are engaged in various infrastructure projects throughout the Balkans.

Former Novi Sad mayor Borislav Novakovic strongly criticized the ruling populist government, accusing them of profiting at the expense of the citizens and contributing to the loss of life. He stated, “The state was responsible for the crime that took 14 lives,” which elicited chants of “jail” from the assembled crowd.

The protest, which attracted several thousand participants, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and his administration, while also calling for accountability for those responsible for the catastrophic event. Although authorities have initiated an investigation into the disaster and Serbia’s construction minister resigned last week, no one has yet been arrested or charged in relation to the November 1 incident.

Monday’s event proceeded without incident, contrasting sharply with a previous rally in Novi Sad—where demonstrators wearing masks engaged in violent acts, hurling rocks, bottles, and red paint at City Hall after initially marching peacefully. Law enforcement responded with tear gas to disperse the rioters.

Government representatives have assured the public of a thorough accountability process. However, prevailing skepticism remains due to the populist government’s control over both the police force and the judicial system.

The railway station, constructed in 1964, has undergone two renovations in recent years. The station was officially reopened by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over two years ago, marking it as a significant stop for a future high-speed rail service connecting Belgrade with Budapest.