Fury over Serbia station tragedy prompts first arrests

After weeks of protests in Serbia’s second-largest city, Novi Sad, following the deadly collapse of a section of the railway station, the first arrests have been made. Prosecutors have ordered the questioning of 11 individuals in connection with the incident, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people when a concrete and glass canopy fell at the station earlier this month.

The collapse of the newly renovated station has left the city in a state of mourning and anger, with locals demanding justice. Over 20,000 people took to the streets for one of the largest protests the city has seen in decades. Protesters have rallied under the slogan “corruption kills,” accusing the government of prioritizing the enrichment of a few contractors over public safety.

The protests have highlighted growing dissatisfaction with the government’s procurement practices for infrastructure projects, which critics say have been marred by corruption and a lack of transparency. Serbia’s former construction minister, Goran Vesic, is among the individuals arrested in connection with the tragedy. Vesic resigned shortly after the collapse but denied any responsibility for the deaths. “I cannot accept guilt for the deaths,” he said at the time, insisting that neither he nor his team bore any responsibility for the tragedy.

However, prosecutors are pursuing investigations into possible criminal acts related to public safety, suggesting that they may take a different view on Vesic’s role. Despite the accusations, Vesic has portrayed himself as a cooperative witness, claiming he voluntarily responded to police calls and made himself available to investigators.

The arrests follow a televised address by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in which he emphasized that those responsible for the disaster would face consequences. “Fifteen people did not die because of their own fault, but because someone didn’t do their job properly,” he stated. Vucic has been closely linked to the Novi Sad railway station, which is a key part of the government’s flagship infrastructure project—the high-speed rail line connecting Belgrade to Budapest. Vucic himself inaugurated the station in 2022, alongside Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. At the time, he hailed the station as a symbol of Serbia’s path to a “modern Europe” and a more prosperous future.

The station’s continued renovations, even after its inauguration, further highlight the gravity of the tragedy. The collapse of the canopy has not only cost lives but also served as a stark symbol of the country’s deepening political tensions. Opposition parties have seized on the disaster to criticize Vucic’s government, accusing it of fostering a culture of nepotism and impunity. They argue that the tragedy is emblematic of the government’s failure to ensure public safety while pursuing ambitious infrastructure projects.

Biljana Djordjevic, co-leader of the Green-Left Front, encapsulated the public sentiment, saying, “The slogan of the people is that we are all below this canopy that’s called Serbia – it can collapse wherever you are.” She added that the government’s claim to be building a better country is now under threat, as citizens no longer feel safe under the administration’s leadership. The collapse of the canopy has shaken public faith in the government’s ability to manage the country’s infrastructure safely, leading to calls for resignations.

Protesters have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, a former mayor of Novi Sad, and the current mayor, Milan Djuric. For now, the public’s frustration remains high, and while the arrests may be seen as a first step toward accountability, many protesters are unlikely to be satisfied with just this. They are calling for a thorough investigation and a swift judicial process to bring those responsible to justice.

Whether these arrests will be enough to quell the growing anger or whether they mark the beginning of a more significant political reckoning remains to be seen. If the judicial process provides quick and credible answers, it may ease the public’s concerns. However, if it fails to address the underlying issues, the protests are likely to continue, and Vucic’s government may face a turbulent period ahead.

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