Janice R. Andrews
Serbian prosecutors have charged 13 people in connection with last month’s devastating railway station awning collapse in Novi Sad that killed 15 people. The concrete structure failed on November 1st, causing immediate fatalities and injuries, with one wounded victim later dying.
The indictments target several former high-ranking officials, including a former Infrastructure Minister and deputy minister, along with project designers and supervisors. The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office is pursuing charges related to public safety violations, life endangerment, and construction malpractice. Due to Serbian law, defendants were identified using initials only.
The tragedy prompted several high-profile resignations, including Transport Minister Goran Vesic, Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic, and the head of Serbian Railways. Though briefly detained, Vesic maintained he bore no responsibility for the collapse.
While President Aleksandar Vucic has called for accountability, citizens have taken to the streets in protest, pointing to alleged government corruption and nepotism as underlying causes of substandard construction work – claims that officials have rejected.
The case has become a flashpoint for public demands for greater transparency and reform in Serbia as the country comes to terms with this tragic incident.
