Huge Commemorative Rally Held in Serbia’s Novi Sad a Year after Disaster
Tens of thousands gathered in Serbia’s second-largest city to mark the first anniversary of the Novi Sad railway station tragedy, which claimed 16 lives. The event took place on November 1, 2025, with people observing a 16-minute silence exactly at 11:52 a.m., the time when the concrete canopy collapsed a year earlier.
People observe 16 minutes of silence as they pay respect to the victims in front of the Novi Sad train station during the commemoration in Novi Sad, Serbia, November 1, 2025. Photo: EPA/ANDREJ CUKIC
Many attendees carried large red cardboard hearts inscribed with the victims' names, while others brought heart-shaped balloons. Flowers were laid outside the station, which remains closed since the November 2024 disaster.
The tragedy triggered widespread grief across Serbia and led to student-led protests demanding accountability from authorities, citing negligence and corruption. Following the commemoration, a major anti-government protest unfolded, with people traveling from all over Serbia to join the events in Novi Sad.
Commemoration and Protest Unite Citizens
- 16-minute silent vigil held at 11:52 a.m. in Novi Sad
- Victims remembered with flowers, hearts, and balloons
- Railway station remains closed since November 2024
- Nationwide grief accompanied by calls for government accountability
- Major protest followed the commemoration, with participation from across Serbia
The events highlight the community’s resilience and ongoing demand for justice after a deeply tragic event.