Serbia Indicts 13 Over Deadly Canopy Collapse in Novi Sad, Killing 15

Dec 30, 2024, 12:43 PM

Serbia's public prosecutor has indicted 13 individuals, including former Construction Minister Goran Vesic, in connection with the collapse of a concrete canopy at a railway station in Novi Sad on November 1, which resulted in 14 immediate deaths and one later death in hospital. The incident has sparked widespread protests across the country, with demonstrators demanding accountability and transparency in the wake of the tragedy. The suspects face charges of committing a grave criminal act against public safety and irregular execution of construction work, with potential prison sentences of up to 12 years if convicted. The canopy was part of a station that had undergone recent renovations as part of a wider infrastructure deal with Chinese companies, and public outcry has focused on allegations of corruption and poor construction quality. The indictment must be confirmed by a court to proceed, and the prosecutor has requested the detention of the suspects pending trial.