site.btaSerbian City of Novi Sad Welcomes Thousands of Students, Citizens for Anniversary of Railway Station Tragedy

Residents of Novi Sad (northern Serbia) took to the streets late on October 31 to welcome thousands of students and demonstrators for the anniversary of the collapse of the canopy at the local railway station on November 1, 2024, when 16 people lost their lives.

With fireworks, cheers, and applause, tens of thousands greeted those who had travelled by foot from across Serbia to honour the victims.

The first to arrive in Novi Sad were students from the city of Novi Pazar (southwestern Serbia), who had covered a distance of more than 400 kilometers.

Bulgarians from the eastern Serbian town of Dimitrovgrad also joined the commemoration.

More than 4,000 students and citizens from Belgrade walked about 90 kilometers to the Liberty Bridge over the Danube, where they were welcomed by students from the University of Novi Sad.

People from Nis, the largest city in eastern and southern Serbia, made the journey by bicycle.

Residents of Novi Sad presented everyone with certificates of appreciation "for every step taken in the fight for freedom."

The five-hour reception concluded with the laying of flowers at the railway station and a moment of silence for the 16 victims.

The November 1 commemoration was organized by students who have led anti-government protests for the past year, demanding that those responsible for the Novi Sad tragedy be held criminally and politically accountable.

In May, students called for snap parliamentary elections, but President Aleksandar Vucic declined the request.

Over the summer, peaceful demonstrations escalated into acts of civil disobedience, clashes with police, mass arrests, and allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement.