Serbia Marks Second Anniversary of Novi Sad Railway Station Collapse

Today, Monday, November 2, 2026, Serbia is commemorating the second anniversary of the tragic Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse, which occurred on November 1, 2024. The event claimed the lives of 16 people and has since become a pivotal moment in the country’s recent history, sparking widespread protests and a significant political shift.

The collapse, which happened at 11:52 a.m. on a sunny autumn day, was attributed to flawed renovation work linked to corruption and negligence. It was part of a larger railway reconstruction project involving China and Hungary, raising concerns about oversight and accountability. In the aftermath, student-led protests emerged, demanding justice and transparency. These demonstrations, which began on November 5, 2024, grew into a broader political movement, culminating in the formation of the Student List, a coalition of youth activists and reform advocates.

The protests gained momentum, with hundreds of thousands gathering in Belgrade on March 15, 2025, and continuing to pressure the government. The movement led to a major electoral victory for the Student List in the snap parliamentary elections held on October 25, 2026, where they secured 140 out of 250 seats in parliament. This marked a significant change in power, ending 14 years of rule by President Vučć’s Serbian Progressive Party.

In the wake of the tragedy, 13 individuals—including a former government minister—were charged, and an indictment was filed on December 30, 2024. Among those detained was Marko Krićak, Vučć’s chief of criminal police, on suspicion of abuse of office. Some accused activists reportedly left Serbia for EU countries on June 25, 2025, amid ongoing legal and political tensions.

On this anniversary, commemorations across Serbia honored the 16 victims with 16 wreaths and red hearts laid at the site of the collapse, symbolizing remembrance and the enduring call for justice. The event stands as a powerful reminder of the consequences of corruption and the resilience of civil society in demanding accountability.

What we know

• A train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad, Serbia, occurred on November 1, 2024. ¹²³
• The collapse killed 16 people. ¹²³
• Student-led protests followed the accident, leading to a wider political campaign. ¹²
• Thirteen individuals, including a former government minister, were charged following the incident. ¹³
• The collapse happened at 11:52 a.m. on a sunny autumn day. ¹
• The collapse was part of a larger railway reconstruction project involving China and Hungary. ¹
• The collapse was attributed to flawed renovation work due to corruption and negligence. ¹
• Protests began on November 5, 2024, with thousands gathering to demand accountability. ²
• An indictment was filed against 13 people on December 30, 2024. ²
• Marko Krićak, Vučć’s chief of criminal police, was detained on suspicion of abuse of office. ¹
• Vučć’s Serbian Progressive Party controlled all state institutions for 14 years before the recent change in power. ¹
• The Student List won Serbia's snap parliamentary election on October 25, 2026. ³
• The Student List secured 140 out of 250 seats in parliament. ³
• Some accused activists left Serbia for EU countries on June 25, 2025. ²
• Hundreds of thousands demonstrated in Belgrade on March 15, 2025. ²
• Participants in the commemoration laid 16 wreaths and red hearts representing the victims. ¹