site.btaDeath Toll of November 2024 Novi Sad Tragedy in Serbia Rises to 16

The death toll of last November's tragedy in Novi Sad increased to 16 after a young man who had been seriously injured in the local railway canopy collapse died in hospital, according to social media reports by students participating in the blockade of a local university. The news was confirmed by one of the two hospitals where the 19-year-old man was receiving treatment.

Paying tribute to the victim, people in Novi Sad blocked intersections and held 16 minutes of silence, Serbian media said.

Initially, the railway station incident on November 1 claimed 14 lives and seriously injured three other people, who were received for treatment at the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina in Novi Sad. The demise of one of the seriously injured patients on November 17 brought the death toll to 15.

The tragedy in the northern Serbian city triggered a spate of nationwide protests which have lasted more than four months now. The ongoing demonstrations have been organized mainly by students who have blocked over 60 university faculties across Serbia, blaming the government and President Aleksandar Vucic for corruption and nepotism.

The social tension caused two cabinet ministers to tender their resignations, although they said they did not feel responsible for the tragedy.

The prosecution service pressed charges against 13 people, including Goran Vesic, who withdrew as minister of construction, transport and infrastructure. Prime minister Milos Vucevic also resigned. A 30-day constitutionally prescribed period for putting together a new government began on March 20.