Thousands Protest Serbia Train Station Collapse Anniversary

On the first anniversary of the railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad that killed 16 people, tens of thousands of Serbians gathered to honor the victims and demand government accountability. The tragedy sparked the largest protest movement in Serbia's recent history, with student-led demonstrations blaming state corruption and calling for President Aleksandar Vučić's resignation and early elections. Despite the prime minister's resignation and criminal charges against officials, including a former minister, Vučić remains in power and issued a rare apology while calling for national dialogue. The government declared a national day of mourning, and a 16-minute silence was observed at the exact time of the collapse. Protesters faced police warnings against violence but defiantly gathered in Novi Sad, with many marching from other parts of the country. An EU-backed investigation into corruption related to the reconstruction project is ongoing amid continued public outrage and political tensions.