Arrests Made Following Fatal Collapse at Serbia's Railway Station
The Higher Public Prosecutors Office in Novi Sad announced on November 21 that 11 individuals have been arrested in connection with the catastrophic collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station in Serbia's second-largest city. The tragic incident, which occurred on November 1, resulted in the death of 15 people and left two others seriously injured.
The railway station, originally built in 1964, had undergone renovations twice in recent years, executed by a consortium comprising four companies: China Railway International, China Communications Construction, France's Egis, and Hungary's Utiber.
Among those apprehended are former Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesic, as well as Jelena Tanaskovic, the former director of Railway Infrastructure. The prosecutor's office has stated that they face charges related to criminal acts against public security, endangering the public, and irregular construction practices. If convicted, these individuals could face up to 12 years in prison.
These arrests follow public protests that escalated into violence, calling for accountability and justice for those deemed responsible. Accusations of corruption leading to subpar renovation work at the railway station have also surfaced in the wake of the tragedy.
In a statement on X, Vesic clarified that he had not been arrested but had voluntarily presented himself to the authorities when summoned. Despite resigning from his position shortly after the incident on November 4, Vesic maintained that he did not accept fault for the disaster.
Tomislav Momirovic, who served as the head of the Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Ministry from 2020 to 2022, also submitted his resignation as trade minister on November 20. That same day, Tanaskovic stepped down from her role as head of Serbian Railway Infrastructure.
The opposition has expressed skepticism regarding the arrests, insisting that this case requires oversight by organized-crime prosecutors. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen what broader implications these events will have on public trust in government and infrastructure safety in Serbia.
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