Novi Sad station collapse: One year after tragedy, Serbia remember victims with silent march

Thousands gathered in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, on Saturday to mark one year since the railway station roof collapse that killed 16 people. The incident led to the country’s largest protests in decades.People placed flowers and candles along temporary fencing near the damaged station entrance, where the canopy collapsed on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people."I feel ... great pain and sadness," said Svetlana, a 45-year-old woman, speaking to the news agency AFP.A large rally is expected as part of the commemorations, starting at the station at 11:52 am (1052 GMT), the exact time of the collapse. A 16-minute silence will be held for the 16 victims.After the incident, which became linked to allegations of corruption, Serbia saw frequent student-led protests. Demonstrators initially demanded a transparent investigation, but later began calling for early elections.Students, who urged people to join what they called the “largest commemorative gathering,” began arriving in Novi Sad from Friday. Some travelled by car, bicycle or on foot.Many walked from Belgrade, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) away, and some even came from Novi Pazar, roughly 340 kilometres south of the capital. The march took 16 days, symbolising the 16 victims.On Friday night, Novi Sad residents came out to welcome the marchers. People blew whistles and waved flags as the group entered the city, AFP reported.