Serbia charges 13 over deadly railway station shelter collapse

Dec 30, 2024 - Thirteen people have been charged in Serbia over the deadly collapse of a railway station shelter that killed 15 people and injured two in Novi Sad.

Among those facing charges are Goran Vesic, the former Minister of Transport, and Jelena Tanaskoviq, the former head of Serbian Railways Infrastructure. The charges include serious crimes against public safety and endangering lives. If convicted, they face up to 12 years in prison.

The incident took place on November 1 at a recently renovated railway station in the northern Serbian city. The shelter, made of concrete, collapsed shortly after the station had been renovated by a consortium of four companies, including a Chinese firm. While Serbian Railways maintains that the renovation did not include the shelter, some experts have raised concerns about the scope of the work carried out.

The tragedy has sparked public outrage, with protests across Serbia demanding accountability. Students and citizens have blocked roads, and over 50 academic faculties and high schools have been disrupted in solidarity with the victims.

The collapse has also become a political issue for President Aleksandar Vučić, with mounting criticism over the handling of the case.