Roof collapses at a train station in Serbia: 13 people charged, including former transport minister

The Higher Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city, has charged former Transport Minister Goran Vesic, who resigned over the November 1 roof collapse at the train station, with endangering public safety. Prosecutors have requested that he be taken into custody. This was reported by Politico, UNN. 

Details 

The other 12 people indicted include Vesic's deputy, high-ranking officials of the Serbian Railways Infrastructure, construction contractors, and technical supervisors.

“All of us, as citizens, expect that those guilty and responsible for what happened will be brought to justice [and] criminal liability will be determined,” said Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic the day before the indictment.

The accident occurred at a railway station in Novi Sad, 100 kilometers northwest of Belgrade, after repeated repairs as part of a larger deal with Chinese construction firms. Critics blamed the poor work on widespread corruption and lack of transparency.

“Goran Vesic is one of those who are most responsible for massive corruption in construction, for the policy of secret contracts with investors, and now it is leading to human casualties,” said Radomir Lazovic, co-leader of the opposition Green Left Front party, after the accident.

Despite the indictments, critics said that the investigation failed to address the corruption that allegedly caused the tragedy.

“While the government is trying to blow dust in the eyes of the people, key questions remain unanswered. How is it possible that the indictment does not mention responsibility for the deaths of 15 people? Where are the traces of corruption that costs us not only money but also lives every day?” - wrote former Novi Sad mayor Boris Novakovich in his post on the X website. 

Recall 

On November 1, a concrete shed collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station , killing 15 people and injuring about 30 others.