12 Arrested in Serbia for Train Station Roof Collapse That Resulted in 15 Deaths
BELGRADE, Serbia—Twelve individuals have been apprehended in Serbia in connection with a tragic incident from earlier this month at a train station in the city of Novi Sad, resulting in the demise of 15 individuals and causing severe injury to two more, as announced by prosecutors on Thursday.
The accused parties, who remain unnamed, are facing charges of engaging in criminal activities against public safety, creating public peril, and engaging in unauthorized construction work, as stated by the Higher Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad. They could potentially face imprisonment of up to 12 years.
Initially, the prosecutor’s office reported the detention of 11 individuals, but later, it was revealed that one additional person had been taken into custody, with one more still at large.
Reports from Serbian media disclosed that one of the detained individuals was Goran Vesic, the former construction minister who resigned post the incident. Vesic mentioned that he cooperated willingly.
Following the tragic event, a series of protests transpired demanding accountability and punishment for those responsible. Many in Serbia believe that the roof collapse was a consequence of corruption and an absence of transparency leading to substandard work during the station building’s renovation.
Opposition figures spearheading the protests expressed skepticism regarding the announced arrests and urged for the case to be overseen by prosecutors specializing in organized crime.
“The omission of acknowledging the fatalities and corruption by the prosecutors is significant,” stated Borislav Novakovic, a former mayor of Novi Sad. “Over the last 20 days, all suspects had the potential to influence witnesses, tamper with evidence, and manipulate documentation.”
Opposition legislators and protestors clashed with law enforcement outside the Novi Sad court building for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, demanding charges in relation to the roof collapse and the release of activists held during previous demonstrations.
Serbia’s authoritarian President Aleksandar Vucic labeled the opposition demonstrations as “terror” and condemned them as “brutal violence by specific political entities” on Thursday. Vucic expressed confidence in overcoming the turmoil, asserting, “we will defeat the perpetrators and intimidators… we do not cower in fear.”
The Novi Sad railway station construction dates back to 1964 and underwent renovation twice in recent years as part of an infrastructure agreement with Chinese state enterprises.
The catastrophic roof incident occurred on November 1, resulting in an initial count of 14 casualties and three severe injuries, with one of the injured succumbing to their injuries on Sunday.