World

Serbia’s Two-Year Struggle Over Novi Sad Train Station Collapse Leads to Government Shift

By Dragana Erjavec

On November 1, 2024, a concrete canopy collapsed at the renovated Novi Sad railway station, killing 14 people on site and leaving three others in critical condition. Two of those hospitalized later died in November 2024 and March 2025, bringing the total death toll to 16. The incident sparked public outrage over construction quality, lack of transparency in public spending, and corruption.

Four days after the collapse, thousands of protesters gathered in Novi Sad demanding accountability. The demonstrations escalated into clashes with police, resulting in dozens of arrests and damage to City Hall. The investigation into the accident remained stalled while the judicial response to protesters was swift.

From November 19 to 21, 2024, opposition MPs, councillors and citizens blocked the entrance to the court and prosecutor’s office in Novi Sad for three days, demanding the release of arrested protesters and a faster investigation. On November 21, the higher public prosecutor’s office announced that 11 individuals, including former Construction Minister Goran Vesic, had been arrested in connection with the deaths.

Between November 22 and 25, 2024, students and professors were attacked during a memorial service at the University of Arts in Belgrade. The incident prompted a university sit‑in demanding the prosecution of attackers, publication of reconstruction documentation, and release of detained protesters.

On December 11, 2024, authorities released part of the reconstruction documentation—eight binders containing 195 documents—though students called the move insufficient and demanded full transparency and criminal accountability.

On December 30, 2024, prosecutors filed an indictment against 13 people for serious crimes against public security, improper construction work and abuse of office. Higher courts overturned detention orders for Vesic and Serbia Railways Infrastructure’s acting General Director Jelena Tanaskovic, placing them under house arrest. Questions arose over prosecution jurisdiction and case file transfers.

On January 15, 2025, the public prosecutor’s office for organised crime in Belgrade opened a separate investigation into financial fraud, corruption and money laundering during the station’s reconstruction, involving Vesic, former Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic and 12 others.

On January 28, 2025, governing party activists attacked and seriously injured students at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. Prime Minister Miloš Vučević resigned, the biggest political concession to date, but protests and blockades continued.

On March 11, 2025, thirteen activists and students were arrested in Novi Sad on the eve of planned large protests in Belgrade, charged with undermining the constitutional order and violent behaviour. Civil society organisations and citizens denounced the arrests as politically motivated, organising protests and road blockades.

On March 15, 2025, hundreds of thousands demonstrated in Belgrade.

On May 28, 2025, Novi Sad’s High Court decided to replace prison detention with house arrest for some imprisoned activists and students.

On June 25, 2025, with the prosecutor refusing to drop charges and security services exerting pressure, some accused activists left Serbia for EU countries, where they continued to highlight the situation.

On September 9, 2026, the informal student‑led movement became a political force after snap parliamentary elections were announced for October. The Student List‑Students Win grouping was formed, uniting students, professors and legal experts.

On September 27, 2026, longtime leader Aleksandar Vučević resigned as president of Serbia to lead the Serbian Progressive Party‑led electoral list. On his last day, he pardoned all prosecuted students and activists, ending proceedings for “undermining the constitutional order” and allowing the safe return of activists from exile.

On October 25, 2025, Vučević conceded defeat to the Student List in the elections, which saw voter turnout reach its highest level in more than 30 years. Accountability for the Novi Sad railway station tragedy remained a central issue following the announcement of the results.