On November 1, 2025, the city of Novi Sad, Serbia, became the heart of a nation’s grief and anger as tens of thousands gathered to mark the first anniversary of a devastating tragedy. At exactly 11:52am, the time the train station roof collapsed a year prior, the crowd observed 16 minutes of profound silence—one for each life lost in the disaster that has since shaken the country’s political and social landscape.
The silence was palpable. According to Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic, “You could hear a pin drop, it was totally silent for 16 minutes.” This act of remembrance was more than a gesture for the victims; it was a powerful call for accountability and justice, echoing through the streets of Serbia’s second largest city. Mourners, activists, and students stood shoulder to shoulder, many in tears, united by sorrow and a shared demand for answers.
The tragedy, which occurred on November 1, 2024, when the newly renovated station’s canopy collapsed, killing 16 people, has become a symbol of what many Serbians see as entrenched corruption and negligence within their government. The public’s outcry has only grown louder over the past year, transforming initial calls for a transparent investigation into a nationwide movement demanding sweeping political change—including the resignation of President Aleksandar Vucic and the call for snap elections, as reported by France 24 and Bloomberg.
Students have been at the forefront of these protests, organizing what they described as the “largest commemorative gathering” for the anniversary. Their activism has inspired thousands from across the country to make the pilgrimage to Novi Sad. Some walked all the way from Belgrade, a journey of about 100 kilometers (62 miles), while others came from as far as Novi Pazar, 340 kilometers to the south. The marchers took 16 days to complete their trek, a symbolic tribute to the 16 victims. When they arrived, residents greeted them with whistles, flags, and visible emotion, according to multiple reports including AFP and Al Jazeera.
The scale of the turnout was itself a point of contention. While police estimated the crowd at 39,000, journalists from AFP and aerial images suggested a much higher number—closer to 100,000. After speeches, a choir performance, and a walk through Novi Sad’s center, the day’s events culminated with thousands lining the Danube riverbank, releasing 16 lanterns from boats as the sun set. Across the river, a giant banner on Petrovaradin Fortress read: “See you tomorrow and every other day until there is justice.”
For the families of the victims, the pain remains raw and unresolved. Dijana Hrka, whose 27-year-old son Stefan was among those killed, spoke with Al Jazeera: “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. I am looking for justice. I want no other mother to go through what I am going through.” Another mourner, Tomislav Savic, summed up the collective frustration: “A year has passed, no one is held accountable, no one is prosecuted, nothing is happening.”
That sense of injustice is not without basis. Thirteen individuals, including former construction minister Goran Vesic, were charged in connection with the collapse. Yet, as of the anniversary, none have been tried. Veselinovic reported that under Serbian law, these charges still need confirmation by a higher court—a process that has not moved forward, leaving many with little faith in the system.
The government’s response has been mixed. The tragedy led to the resignation of Serbia’s prime minister and the fall of his government, a rare moment of political upheaval. Yet President Vucic has remained firmly in office, often dismissing the protests as the work of “foreign-funded coup plotters” and, according to France 24, tolerating conspiracy theories from his party that suggest the collapse was a deliberate attack. However, in a televised address on the eve of the anniversary, Vucic made a rare concession: “This applies both to students and to protesters, as well as to others with whom I disagreed. I apologise for that,” he said, calling for dialogue.
Saturday, November 1, was declared a day of national mourning. The Serbian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Porfirije, held a memorial service at Belgrade’s Saint Sava church, attended by several hundred people including government ministers and President Vucic himself. Outside, thousands gathered to light candles and pay their respects, while the European Union delegation in Serbia issued a statement urging restraint and the avoidance of violence.
The tragedy has also drawn international scrutiny. An EU-backed investigation into the possible misuse of European Union funds related to the Novi Sad station project is ongoing, alongside a separate anti-corruption probe. Aleksandar Popov, a Serbian political analyst, told Al Jazeera that corruption in Serbia is “sky-high,” involving “hundreds of millions of euros spun through large infrastructure projects, perhaps billions of euros.” He added, “This government and the president have captured all key institutions of state, like the judiciary.”
EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos weighed in on social media, declaring that the “tragedy is changing Serbia. It moved masses to stand for accountability, free expression and inclusive democracy. They are the same values to lead Serbia into the EU.” But Serbia’s path toward European integration remains fraught, as Vucic continues to maintain close ties with Russia and China and faces accusations of restricting democratic freedoms.
Despite the heavy atmosphere, the protests have remained largely peaceful over the past year, with the notable exception of mid-August 2025, when violence erupted. Protesters blamed heavy-handed tactics by government loyalists and police for the escalation, a claim echoed in coverage by both Al Jazeera and France 24.
As the sun set over Novi Sad and the lanterns drifted across the Danube, the message from Serbia’s streets was unmistakable: the quest for justice, accountability, and change is far from over. For the families of the victims, the students, and the countless others who have joined their cause, the memory of November 1, 2024, is not just a date—it’s a rallying cry that continues to reverberate through the nation.
