NOVI SAD, Serbia — On Sunday, a sizable crowd gathered in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad to protest, commemorating one month since the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at the local railway station. This horrific event resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals and left two others injured.
Demonstrators displayed a large banner featuring a red handprint at the forefront of the march, conveying a pointed message to the governing authorities, suggesting they bear responsibility for the loss of life. As the protest continued, participants left similar symbolic handprints on the pavement in the main square of Novi Sad, further expressing their outrage by painting large sections of the square red.
Since the collapse of the roof on November 1, protests and road blockades have become a regular occurrence, with citizens demanding accountability following the sudden and tragic incident in which tons of concrete fell on unsuspecting individuals who were merely sitting or walking outside on a clear day.
The railway station, which had undergone two renovations in recent years, has raised concerns among the Serbian populace regarding the corrupt practices and questionable deals that are believed to have compromised the quality of the construction, resulting in the roof’s failure.
Although prosecutors have reported the arrest of 13 individuals linked to this case, skepticism looms as a Serbian court has released Goran Vesic, the former minister of construction, from custody. This development has fueled public doubts about the integrity of the ongoing investigations, given that the ruling populist party controls both the police and the judiciary.
Sunday’s march in Novi Sad proceeded in silence and remained peaceful, a contrast to previous instances where pro-government supporters attempted to disrupt protests, resulting in clashes with demonstrators. Similar tensions have surfaced in Serbia’s parliament, where altercations occurred between ruling party and opposition members.
These protests pose a significant challenge for President Aleksandar Vucic, who leads an authoritarian regime that maintains a strong grip on mainstream media and governmental institutions. During Sunday’s events, Vucic defended his supporters’ involvement in counter-protests, characterizing the road blockades as a form of “ultimate violence” against the public.
Opposition parties are calling for the resignation of the prime minister and his cabinet while demanding access to comprehensive records regarding the train station renovation and other infrastructure projects associated with Chinese state companies.
Originally constructed in 1964, the Novi Sad railway station’s renovations are part of a broader initiative involving China and Hungary aimed at establishing a high-speed railway linking Belgrade and Budapest.
