One year since the canopy collapse in Novi Sad: A large commemorative gathering for the victims is being prepared

(Patria) - Thousands of people in Novi Sad paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy at the Novi Sad railway station with a 16-minute silence on Friday night into Saturday, ahead of a large gathering to mark the anniversary of the deaths of 16 people in the collapse of a canopy on November 1, last year, at the previously renovated station building.

On Friday evening, the people of Novi Sad welcomed thousands of students and citizens who came from all over Serbia on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle, or tractor to participate on Saturday in a commemorative gathering in front of the remains of the collapsed canopy, which a year ago became a place of suffering for 16 predominantly young people. Only one girl survived the canopy collapse, severely injured with lifelong consequences.

Students led the procession, walking in silence, carrying 16 wreaths of white flowers with the names of the victims of the tragedy that changed Serbia.

The deaths of 16 people spurred mass anti-government protests at the end of 2024, led by students, whose movement gained increasing support from numerous social groups day by day – from the academic community to trade unions and civil associations – growing into a national movement for the democratization of society.

The latest in a series of demands are early elections, with daily pressure on Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who, despite more or less protocol powers under the Constitution, has held almost all reins of power in Serbia for over a decade.

Vučić initially tried to ease the pressure by sacrificing Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, who resigned in January, leading to the fall of the government, after several supporters of the ruling party (SNS) beat a group of students in Novi Sad, breaking one student's jaw with a baseball bat.

The investigation after the canopy collapse initially pointed to several ministers and state officials as responsible, but even a year after the disaster, no one has been convicted or punished. An informal ad hoc commission of experts, in its findings based on available documents about the station's reconstruction, indicated the involvement and responsibility of top state officials.

On Friday evening, the names of all 16 victims were written on the fence in front of the station, while dozens of bicycles remained near the remains of the canopy, untouched for a year since the tragedy.

The column of students arrived at the station after midnight, laying one by one a wreath of white flowers with the names of the deceased.

"Silence reigns, and everyone I see is crying," a reporter for the FoNet agency reported during the 16-minute silence.

On Friday at midnight, the Day of Mourning declared by the Serbian government began, after Novi Sad citizens' assemblies and students publicly requested on Thursday that flags at all institutions and public facilities in the country be lowered to half-mast in memory of those who died under the canopy. The Day of Mourning will last until midnight on Saturday.

President Aleksandar Vučić addressed the public on Friday evening and called for Saturday's gathering in Novi Sad to be peaceful and respectful of the victims.

"My sincere wish, as president, is that tomorrow passes peacefully, with respect for each other, especially for the victims," Vučić said.

He called for dialogue with the protesters and said that the anniversary should be a day of unity, not division.

In his address, Vučić said that the hatred boiling in society brings nothing good, and that everyone made mistakes in the past year, including himself, for which he apologized. The students told him they do not accept the apology, but only the calling of early elections, N1 reports.