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02 Jan 2025

Tens of Thousands have been protesting for weeks in Belgrade after deadly roof collapse

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Tens of thousands have gathered in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, to demand accountability for the roof collapse at a train station in November, which claimed 15 lives.

 

CTIF has previously reported on this incident. Read more on CTIF.org here:

For over seven weeks, nationwide demonstrations have been held following the incident in Novi Sad, a city in northern Serbia. Many protesters have accused authorities of insufficient oversight and corruption.

"I’m here because I’ve had enough. We’re protesting because what’s happening in our country is no longer acceptable," said demonstrator Daria Poljolka on December 22, 2024. 

The protest just before Christmas was organized by university students. It opened  with 15 minutes of silence—one minute for each victim of the collapse.

 

Roof collapsed during rush hour

The incident occurred when a concrete roof at the entrance to Novi Sad’s train station collapsed during rush hour, as many travelers were passing through the station's entrance.

Following the collapse, Goran Vesic, Serbia’s Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure, resigned. However, protesters are also demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and Novi Sad Mayor Milan Duric. 

Novi Sad’s train station had recently undergone extensive renovations, and construction work was ongoing in other parts of the station when the accident occurred.