Individuals observe 16 minutes of silences as they pay respect to the victims in entrance of the Novi Unhappy prepare station throughout the commemoration in Novi Unhappy, Serbia, November 1 2025. Photograph: EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC
Large crowds of individuals held a 16-minute silent vigil at 11:52 a.m. within the metropolis of Novi Unhappy on Saturday to commemorate the 16 individuals who died after a concrete cover outdoors the busy railway station collapsed onto their heads at the very same time one 12 months in the past.
Some individuals carried massive purple cardboard hearts bearing the names of the victims; others introduced heart-shaped balloons. Many laid flowers within the plaza outdoors the station, which has been closed for the reason that November 2024 catastrophe.
The tragedy sparked a nationwide outpouring of grief and a student-led mass protest motion demanding accountability from the authorities, who they accuse of negligence and corruption. Saturday’s commemoration can also be being adopted by a serious protest.
Novi Unhappy residents had been joined on the commemoration by plenty of individuals from throughout Serbia who streamed in direction of town in automobiles and buses from the early morning.
1000’s of scholars and members of the general public additionally walked lengthy distances to Novi Unhappy on foot from varied components of the nation to affix the commemoration, together with college students from some Novi Pazar, 300 kilometres away. They had been welcomed on Friday evening by 1000’s of cheering locals.
Locals supplied lodging and supplied meals and drinks at improvised stands within the streets of town.
“We’re right here as a result of the scholars mentioned they want help from the residents, and we’ll all the time reply, every time help is required, particularly when there are occasions reminiscent of commemorations or something that helps make this society higher,” one native, who gave his identify as Zlatko, informed BIRN.
He mentioned that Novi Unhappy was nonetheless “in convulsions” over the catastrophe one 12 months in the past.
Ana Kolandjanin, who was bringing candles and flowers to the station, mentioned she got here from Belgrade to pay her respects and to “help all of the younger individuals within the hope that this can by no means occur once more.
“And to ensure that this to by no means occur once more, this evil should go from energy,” she added. Scholar protesters have been demanding snap elections, however Serbia’s strongman chief, President Aleksandar Vucic, has refused.
Commemorations for the Novi Unhappy catastrophe victims had been additionally being held in lots of different cities throughout the nation on Saturday.
The Serbian authorities, who protesters have blamed for the catastrophe, introduced day of mourning day. Nevertheless, on Friday they cancelled all rail transport within the nation – a transfer believed by protesters to be meant to hinder them from reaching Novi Unhappy by prepare. Rail transport was additionally suspended earlier than two large protests in Belgrade in March and June.
On Friday night, in a televised video message, President Vucic mentioned that he understood that folks wish to collect to specific their grief. “So long as it’s carried out in a peaceable and lawful method, with respect and consideration for different individuals, I absolutely help it,” he added.
No officers charged but
Improvised stands in Novi Unhappy present individuals with meals and drinks. Photograph: BIRN/Katarina Baletic.
On November 1, 2024, at 11:52 a.m., the concrete cover in entrance of the doorway to Novi Unhappy station collapsed. Twelve individuals died immediately, and 4 extra handed away later as results of their accidents. One sufferer remains to be in hospital.
The victims had been largely younger individuals – the youngest had been sisters born in 2018 and 2014, whereas the oldest was born in 1947.
Mass protests erupted within the days after the catastrophe and a nationwide motion emerged, led by college students, demanding accountability from the authorities.
Protesters accuse the authorities of permitting the deaths to occur by way of the negligent loosening of constructing rules, corrupt administration, lack of transparency and political strain on main tasks just like the railway reconstruction, which officers claimed had delivered a ‘European normal’ station for Novi Unhappy.
The protests triggered the most important disaster within the nation for the reason that fall of Slobodan Milosevic 25 years in the past, and posed probably the most critical problem to Aleksandar Vucic since his get together got here to energy in 2012. Vucic has accused the protesters of being subversives trying to foment revolution.
Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned in January after a scholar protester was attacked. Two different ministers have additionally stepped down. Nevertheless, though there are three investigations associated to the catastrophe, no officers have but been charged or despatched to trial in reference to the 16 deaths.
Learn BIRN’s protection of a 12 months of protests by downloading our free e-book ‘Serbia on the Streets’ right here.
