Archive · 1 Nov 2025
Serbia Protests After Deadly Railway Station Roof Collapse
Imagine a big building's roof fell down a year ago, and sadly, 16 people got hurt very badly or passed away.
People in Serbia were very upset because they thought the people in charge didn't build it well or fix it properly, and nobody was taking responsibility.
So, on the one-year anniversary of the accident, a lot of people, especially young folks, gathered in a city called Novi Sad.
They were sad for the families and wanted to show that they thought the system was broken and unfair.
Some people even said they thought the government was corrupt.
The President acknowledged the day as a national day of mourning.
While there were no fights this time, the protests show people are unhappy and want leaders to be accountable when things go wrong.
Tens of thousands protested in Novi Sad, Serbia, on the anniversary of a railway station roof collapse that killed 16 people.
Protesters expressed discontent over alleged corruption, lack of accountability, and poor system failures they blame for the disaster.
The protest movement, led by students and opposition, accuses President Vučić's government of corruption and mismanagement.
An independent report to the European Parliament cited high-level state graft contributing to poor construction standards.
The government designated Saturday as a day of national mourning, with the President attending a commemoration ceremony.
- Who
- Tens of thousands of protesters, including students, academics, and opposition leaders
- What
- Protested on the anniversary of a railway station roof collapse that killed 16 people, demanding accountability for alleged corruption and poor governance.
- When
- Saturday, a year after the November 1, 2024, roof collapse.
- Where
- Novi Sad, Serbia
- Why
- Discontent over alleged corruption, lack of accountability, and poor system failures blamed for the disaster, as well as broader accusations against the government.
Protesters' Accusations
Government's Stance/Response
Responsibility for Disaster
Protesters' Accusations
The roof collapse was a result of a poor system, poor politics, corruption, and shoddy construction standards, leading to a lack of accountability for those responsible.
Government's Stance/Response
The government has designated the day as one of national mourning and attended commemoration ceremonies. Prosecutors have indicted several senior state officials, though a court has yet to confirm the indictment. The possibility of the collapse being an act of terrorism has also been suggested.
Allegations of Government Misconduct
Protesters' Accusations
President Vučić and his party are accused of presiding over corruption, shoddy public services, nepotism, and curbs on media freedoms.
Government's Stance/Response
Government officials have denied these accusations.
- Date of Collapse
- November 1, 2024
- Number of Victims
- 16
- Protest Location
- Novi Sad, Serbia
- Protest Trigger
- Anniversary of deadly roof collapse and alleged lack of accountability
- Key Accusations
- Corruption, poor construction standards, nepotism, curbs on media freedoms