In the city of Novi Sad, Serbia, tragic news emerged as a 19-year-old lost his life on Friday, marking the 16th death resulting from the collapse of a concrete structure at a train station last November. This incident has sparked months of widespread anti-corruption protests amid increasing unrest with Serbia’s populist government.
Vukasin Crncevic passed away after enduring over four months of suffering, following the sudden deluge of concrete that fell on November 1, affecting him and numerous others outside the northern city’s central train station. As night fell on Friday, thousands gathered in Novi Sad’s streets to hold a vigil for Crncevic, lighting candles to honor his memory.
The catastrophic incident has intensified scrutiny towards what many Serbians regard as shoddy renovation work at the station, attributing the deadly collapse to governmental corruption, oversight negligence, and blatant dismissal of safety protocols. Calls for accountability have fueled persistent protests, with hundreds of thousands joining daily demonstrations and blockades. These gatherings frequently incorporate a 15-minute silence to remember the disaster victims.
Silent traffic blockades disrupted various locations across the capital, Belgrade, Novi Sad, and several other cities on Friday. In response, Serbia’s authoritative President Aleksandar Vucic declared intentions to initiate counter-rallies, a move that risks heightening tensions and potentially provoking confrontations between opposing groups.
Later that same day, tensions flared in the southern city of Nis, where demonstrators hurled eggs and water at the mayor, affiliated with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, as riot police stood guard at a party assembly. Vucic, in a video shared on Instagram, urged the arrest of those he labeled as “bandits,” expressing his intent to visit Nis while vowing that “all the thugs will end up behind bars.”
Vucic has criticized the demonstrators, accusing them of instigating “terror” and violence throughout Serbia. However, the anti-corruption protests, largely orchestrated by university students, have remained peaceful. A recent rally in Belgrade last weekend ranked among the largest demonstrations recorded in the Balkan nation, echoing its rich history of anti-government activism. During a moment of silent commemoration on Saturday evening, the authorities were accused of deploying a sonic cannon against protestors, allegations which Vucic and other officials have denied.
Originally, the station collapse claimed the lives of 14 individuals and injured three. The military hospital in Belgrade, which provided care for Crncevic, reported his death due to “complex injuries” and “ensuing complications.”
