On November 1, 2024, at around 12 p.m. local time, a catastrophe occurred at the main railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia. A 115-foot concrete canopy, a prominent feature of the station, tragically collapsed. The incident resulted in 14 deaths and critically injured three others.
The tragedy unfolded while passengers were seated under the outdoor canopy of the station, which serves as Serbia’s second-largest transportation hub. Emergency crews were able to rescue two women from the rubble several hours after the collapse.
President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia, in addressing the nation, confirmed the death of a six-year-old girl in the incident. He added, “Those responsible will be punished.”
It’s noteworthy that the station underwent a renovation project in 2021-2022, costing around $17.3 million. However, both the Serbian Railways Infrastructure and the Chinese construction consortium that undertook the renovation project claim the collapsed canopy, initially built in 1964, was not part of the recent reconstruction efforts.
Goran Vesić, the Infrastructure Minister, corroborated this, stating the building permit for the recent renovations did not include any changes to the external canopy.
Approximately 80 rescue personnel from across Serbia participated in the search and recovery efforts, using heavy machinery to clear away the debris. The three critically injured survivors were reportedly receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at the University Clinical Center in Novi Sad.
In the wake of the tragedy, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević referred to the day as one of the most challenging in Novi Sad’s post-war history. The government has declared November 2 as a day of national mourning.
The Novi Sad Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office has promptly started an investigation into the incident. Over 20 individuals, including the Transport Minister and state railways operator officials, have been interviewed so far.
Surveillance video captured the sudden collapse of the structure on what was otherwise a clear day. Train services at the station have been temporarily halted as investigators continue to examine the site.
The Interior Minister, Ivica Dačić, has warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue their operations at the site.
Protesters left red handprints at the entrances of government buildings in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, to demand the arrest of officials responsible for the negligence of the site. Police formed a barrier outside the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure in the center of the city as thousands of people called for ranking government ministers, including Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, to step down.
