Serbians mark railway disaster that fuelled rise of victorious student movement

Novi Sad witnessed a mass gathering of tens of thousands on Sunday to commemorate the two-year anniversary of a tragic railway disaster that sparked a significant anti-corruption movement in Serbia. The concrete awning at the main train station collapsed on November 1, 2024, claiming 16 lives.

Mourners observed a poignant 16 minutes of silence before laying wreaths, flowers, and candles at the site. Zorana Sijan Oborina, a student supporter, expressed hope for collective healing from the tragedy. The disaster, occurring at a station renovated under a China-backed high-speed rail project, galvanized a nationwide protest movement led by students, ultimately leading to the election victory of a student-led bloc in last week's polls.

Protesters viewed the collapse as evidence of corruption under the previous president, Aleksandar Vucic. Consequently, the protests resulted in resignations, a government reshuffle, and snap elections. Prosecutors indicted 13 individuals over the collapse, but pretrial proceedings have faced delays. The defendants maintain their innocence.

Jelena Trajkovic, a 32-year-old academic from Novi Sad, emphasized the need to act promptly against bad practices, especially when lives are at stake. On October 25, the Student List, comprising academics, professionals, farmers, actors, and activists selected by student assemblies, secured 141 seats in the 250-member parliament, based on a preliminary count. Official final results are expected shortly.

Vucic, running as a candidate for prime minister from his SNS party, conceded defeat at the end of his presidential term. A presidential election is anticipated before the end of the year.