Tens of thousands of Serbians gathered in Novi Sad on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of a tragic railway station collapse that killed 16 people and ignited widespread anti-government protests.
The event, organized by a student-led movement, began precisely at 11:52 a.m., the moment the canopy at the newly renovated station fell on November 1, 2024.
Participants observed 16 minutes of silence, placing flowers and candles along temporary fencing near the damaged entrance, while crowds filled the surrounding square.
This disaster in Serbia's second-largest city has fueled the largest youth-led protests since the fall of Slobodan Milošević in 2000.
What began as demands for a transparent investigation quickly evolved into broader accusations of corruption, nepotism, and calls for early parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2027.
Protesters arrived from across the country, with many traveling by bus, car, or bicycle.
Others completed symbolic marches, including a 16-day trek from Novi Pazar, 340 kilometers south of Belgrade, and a 100-kilometer walk from the capital.
Residents of Novi Sad lined the streets to welcome the marchers, blowing whistles and waving flags in a show of solidarity.
The protests have achieved some concessions, including the January resignation of former Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and the formation of a new government.
Despite this, President Aleksandar Vučić has remained in power, often dismissing demonstrators as Western-backed agitators.
In a rare televised address on Friday, Vučić issued an apology for his previous harsh rhetoric.
“I have said some things that I am now sorry for saying,” Vučić stated, urging dialogue to ease societal tensions.
The government declared Saturday a day of national mourning, with the Serbian Orthodox Church planning a memorial mass in Belgrade.
The anniversary gathering highlighted ongoing frustrations over accountability.
Thirteen individuals, including former Construction Minister Goran Vesić, face criminal charges related to the collapse, though no trials have occurred.
Within Serbia's legal system, these charges require confirmation by a higher court, a process that has yet to advance.
A parallel anti-corruption inquiry persists, alongside an EU-backed probe into potential misuse of European Union funds in the station's renovation.
Dijana Hrka, whose 27-year-old son died in the incident, expressed her grief and resolve.
“What I want to know is who killed my child so I can have a little peace, so that I don’t keep going through hell,” she said.
“I am looking for justice. I want no other mother to go through what I am going through.”
Political analyst Aleksandar Popov described corruption in large infrastructure projects as "sky high," involving hundreds of millions of euros.
He criticized the government's control over key state institutions, including the judiciary.
The EU's commissioner for enlargement, Marta Kos, noted on X that the tragedy "is changing Serbia."
“It moved masses to stand for accountability, free expression and inclusive democracy,” Kos said.
These values, she added, align with those needed for Serbia's EU accession.
While the protests have largely remained peaceful, clashes in August involved allegations of police brutality.
Serbia's EU ambitions face hurdles due to Vučić's ties to Russia and China, as well as concerns over democratic backsliding.
The EU delegation in Serbia called for restraint and de-escalation to prevent further violence.
As the movement persists, the anniversary underscored a nation's push for systemic reform.