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Serbia Marks Novi Sad Station Collapse Anniversary With Mass Rally

Official gestures of contrition stopped short of pledging early elections.

Overview

  • Tens of thousands gathered in Novi Sad one year after the station canopy collapse, holding 16 minutes of silence at 11:52 to honor the 16 victims.
  • The government declared Saturday a national day of mourning, with flags at half-staff across the country.
  • President Aleksandar Vucic apologized for past rhetoric and called for dialogue, but he did not commit to the early elections demanded by protesters.
  • Three probes remain active, including a local accident investigation, a national anti-corruption inquiry, and an EPPO investigation into possible misuse of EU funds, with prosecutors seeking a trial for 13 people since mid-September.
  • Student organizers pressed for transparency on public contracts linked to the renovation and for accountability, drawing support from EU institutions after a year of largely peaceful protests punctuated by clashes and arrests.