Serbia Arrests Twelve Individuals Following Fatal Train Station Roof Collapse

Twelve individuals have been detained in Serbia following a roof collapse at a train station in Novi Sad earlier this month. The incident resulted in 15 fatalities and left two others critically injured, according to prosecutors on Thursday. The suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed, are accused of endangering public safety and engaging in improper construction practices.

The Higher Prosecutors Office in Novi Sad stated that those arrested could face up to 12 years in prison. Initially, 11 arrests were announced, but later on Thursday, authorities confirmed an additional arrest while one suspect remains at large. Serbian media reported that Goran Vesic, who resigned as construction minister after the incident, was among those detained. Vesic mentioned on X that he voluntarily turned himself in.

Public Outcry and Protests

The arrests followed widespread protests demanding accountability for the tragedy. Many Serbians attribute the roof collapse to corruption and lack of transparency, which they believe led to substandard renovation work at the station. Opposition politicians expressed skepticism about the arrests and urged for the case to be managed by organised crime prosecutors.

Borislav Novakovic, a former mayor of Novi Sad, criticised the prosecutors for not addressing the deaths and corruption involved. "For the past 20 days all suspects could influence witnesses, tamper with evidence and alter documentation," he stated. Opposition lawmakers and protesters clashed with police outside the court building in Novi Sad for three consecutive days, calling for indictments and the release of detained activists from earlier demonstrations.

Government Response

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the opposition protests on Thursday, labelling them as "terror" and "brutal violence by certain political factors." Vucic declared, "we will defeat the thugs and bullies ... we are not afraid." The railway station in Novi Sad was originally constructed in 1964 and underwent two renovations recently as part of a broader infrastructure agreement with Chinese state companies.

The massive roof collapse occurred on November 1. Initially, 14 people were reported dead with three severely injured. However, one of the injured individuals succumbed to injuries on Sunday. The situation continues to develop as authorities investigate further.