The station under construction in 1964. Photo courtesy of the Historical Archive of Novi Sad.
A Serbian minister resigned after a concrete-framed railway station canopy collapsed on November 1 in Novi Sad, about 70 miles from Belgrade. Photos from search and rescue operations showed failed beams at the edge of the building, leaning down with rebar exposed, and the remains of the canopy that buried the victims.
The death toll so far stands at 14 with three survivors who were seriously injured and at least two who had to have their limbs amputated.
Protesters who gathered in Belgrade two days later called for the arrest of officials who could be held responsible for the tragedy. An opposition party tried to link the disaster to the corruption and incompetence of the current government. Serbia’s Infrastructure Minister Gordon Vesic said he was resigning from his post, the Associated Press reported.
His resignation must be accepted by the country’s parliament, but after that, Vesic said in a statement: “I will no longer do this duty.”
The station, which was built in 1964, has been renovated twice in recent years, according to news reports. But the work that took place around the canopy did not involve the canopy itself, Serbian officials said.
According to Euronews reports, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević said on the day of the collapse, “this is a Black Friday for us, for all of Serbia.” What happened is being investigated, he said.
Serbian Railways, The state railway company of Serbia, issued a statement that the canopy was not part of the recent renovation works carried out above the station entrance.
The collapse sparked accusations and demonstrations away from the railway station. The Associated Press reported that protesters demonstrated in Belgrade, smearing their hands with red paint to symbolize blood.
Protesters in Belgrade, Serbia, called for the arrest of government officials over the collapse of the train station canopy in Novi Sad. Photo: AP / Darko Vojinovic