Charges Filed Against 13 Officials in Novi Sad Train Station Roof Collapse That Resulted in 15 Deaths
On Monday, the prosecutor's office in Novi Sad, located in northwest Serbia, formally charged 13 individuals in connection with the tragic roof collapse of the city's train station, an incident that occurred on November 1 and led to 15 fatalities. Among those accused are high-ranking executives of railway infrastructure and political figures, including Goran Vesić, the former Serbian Minister of Public Works, who resigned following the disaster. Vesić was initially arrested but has since been released; however, prosecutors are now advocating for his re-detention.
The prosecutor’s office has also sought custody for Jelena Tanasković, the former director of the national railway company, and Anita Dimovski, the former deputy minister of public works. Joining them in facing charges are Nebojsa Surlan, the general director of the national railway company during the reconstruction of the Novi Sad station, along with nine other individuals, including construction company representatives, builders, and technicians.
Novi Sad station has undergone renovations on two occasions in recent years. In the wake of the roof collapse, the matter has escalated into a significant political issue, sparking numerous protests across the country. Demonstrators are attributing the catastrophe to rampant corruption and a critical lack of transparency regarding public works contracts in Serbia. Many of these contracts have been executed in partnership with Chinese state-run enterprises, further intensifying public scrutiny.
As protests against the government continue to grow, the implications of this tragic event are likely to reverberate through Serbian politics for some time. The indictment of high-ranking officials may not only lead to legal repercussions for those involved but also serve as a catalyst for a broader discussion about governance, accountability, and transparency in public infrastructure projects.
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