Serbian minister resigns following tragic collapse at Novi Sad railway station

Serbia's Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Goran Vesic, announced his resignation following a devastating incident at the Novi Sad railway station that resulted in the deaths of 14 people, including a 6-year-old girl.

During an emergency press conference held in the government building, Vesic expressed his sorrow over the tragedy and confirmed that he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Ana Brnabić on the same day the accident occurred, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He also notified the president of Serbia of his decision and indicated that he would formally resign the next morning.

The incident unfolded on November 1, when a concrete canopy at the railway station suddenly collapsed, crushing individuals who were seated on benches or entering the building. Among the injured, three young adults, aged between 18 and 24, required amputations as a result of their injuries. The tragic event has sparked widespread outrage in Serbia, leading to public protests and demands for accountability.

In the wake of the tragedy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic responded to calls for Vesic's resignation by proposing a referendum. 

He stated, “We will ask the people for an advisory opinion on the dismissal of Aleksandar Vucic. If 50 per cent of the people say they agree, I will no longer be president.” Vucic emphasized his commitment to holding elections in January, March, or May, depending on the outcome of the referendum.

The collapse of the canopy has led to criticism of the government's oversight of construction and development projects. Protesters took to the streets in Belgrade, leaving red handprints at government building entrances to symbolize their demand for accountability and the arrest of officials responsible for what many perceive as negligence.

Critics have attributed the disaster to rampant corruption, lack of transparency, and poor-quality renovations, especially given that the train station has undergone renovations twice in recent years.

By Khagan Isayev