Residents in various Serbian cities and towns took to the streets on Friday to honor the 15 individuals who lost their lives due to a roof collapse in northern Serbia three weeks ago.
The public demonstration began just eight minutes before noon, coinciding with the exact moment the incident occurred at the railway station in Novi Sad on November 1. At that time, the outer roof of the station suddenly gave way, causing it to fall on those gathered below.
Initially, the tragedy resulted in 14 fatalities along with three people suffering severe injuries. Tragically, the death toll rose to 15 after another individual passed away on Sunday.
This heart-wrenching incident has incited widespread outrage among the population, with many blaming systemic corruption and a lack of accountability for the poor construction work that led to the roof’s failure during recent renovations.
In the wake of the disaster, prosecutors announced the arrest of 12 individuals, including Goran Vesic, a former minister within the populist government. These arrests took place after a series of protests aimed at challenging the existing regime.
Opposition leaders recently staged a blockade at a court facility in Novi Sad for three consecutive days. President Aleksandar Vucic, who is known for his populist stance, labeled these demonstrators as “thugs and bullies,” accusing them of terrorizing average citizens.
The apprehended individuals face serious charges, including causing significant public danger and engaging in irregular construction practices, both of which could lead to sentences of up to 12 years in prison. Despite these developments, leaders of the opposition remain doubtful about the authorities’ intentions and vow to maintain pressure on the government.
Prosecutors have initiated questioning of the suspects since the protests took place.
The memorial event featured participants across various locations, including Novi Sad, Belgrade, Nis, Kragujevac, and Krusevac, where some demonstrators carried placards bearing the names of the deceased or messages emphasizing that “corruption kills.”
The railway station in Novi Sad, which originally opened its doors in 1964, underwent refurbishment multiple times in recent years, including renovations associated with a broader railway agreement involving Chinese state construction firms.