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Since Friday November 1, Novi Sad has been mourning the loss of 14 lives due to the collapse of a concrete canopy at the town’s railway station. Shaken by the tragedy, thousands of demonstrators came out to express their anger at their government on the evening of Tuesday November 5. They accused the government of criminal negligence and demanded accountability.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of the victims, including two young girls. “I’m here because a 6-year-old girl will never be able to blow out the candles on her seventh birthday… That’s why it’s important, corruption kills,” Maja Gledic, a 50-year-old resident, told AFP, referring to one of the victims. “How many more children do we have to lose before it’s over?” she added angrily.
An investigation has opened and 48 people have already been interviewed. Construction Minister, Goran Vesic, officially resigned on Tuesday morning. But that didn’t seem to calm the demonstrators, who demanded that more heads roll. “You are guilty!” they shouted at the authorities. Signs read “Prison, prison!” and “Arrest the criminals!”.
Tensions escalated when demonstrators began attacking the town hall and smashing windows. Police were quick to retaliate with pepper spray. Other demonstrators tried to intervene, shouting “Don’t destroy our city!
Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, was quick to react. Just hours after the protests began, Vucic posted a video on Instagram: “My message [to the violent protesters] is that the police are in restraint tonight. Not just because of them, but because of the respect we show to the victims of this terrible tragedy. But don’t let Serbian citizens think for a second that violence is allowed. All those who took part will be punished.”
