Student-led movement marks two-year anniversary of Novi Sad station collapse

Thousands of young people and supporters marched through Novi Sad on Sunday in steady rain to mark the second anniversary of a concrete canopy collapse that killed 16 people. The silent procession served as a moment of respect for the victims and a reminder of the tragedy that sparked a two-year anti-corruption campaign.

The disaster occurred on Nov. 1, 2024, when the structure at the northern city’s train station fell without warning at 11:52 a.m. Fourteen people died at the scene, and two more died later. A young woman survived with life-altering injuries. Authorities initially claimed the canopy had not been renovated, but an independent expert panel later concluded that political orders had rushed the construction work. The report cited a systematic degradation of building standards and stated that the state of Serbia violated the right to life of its citizens.

The collapse fueled student-led protests that culminated in last week’s parliamentary elections. The Student List defeated the Serbian Progressive Party, which had held power for 14 years. Since the election, students have demanded a review of high-profile investigations, including the one into the station collapse. Thirteen people had been charged in the case, including a former minister, but no trials took place because the investigation stalled.

During the Sunday ceremony, students carried 16 crowns and red hearts to the station building, one for each victim. The names of the deceased, including children, were displayed. Participants lit candles and observed a minute of silence. A student speaker called the collapse a murder that demanded accountability. The student promised that the youth of Serbia would build a fairer society and vowed that the victims would not be forgotten.

The commemoration drew national attention. Unlike the previous year, when the ruling party was in power, the event was broadcast on state television RTS after officials resigned following the election. Similar ceremonies took place in other cities and towns across Serbia.

The Union of Europe’s head of mission in Serbia, Andreas von Beckerath, said on X that the collapse shook the country to its foundations. He added that the memory of the victims should inspire a Serbia built on solidarity, public trust, and the rule of law.

Also on Sunday, prosecutors ordered the 48-hour detention of Marko Kricak, the head of the criminal police under the previous government. Another senior officer was detained with him. Both are suspected of abuse of office in relation to an murder investigation. Kricak was accused of orchestrating violence during student protests and personally threatening a student with rape, charges he has denied.