Fatal collapse in Novi Sad
The outdoor canopy of the newly renovated railway station in Novi Sad collapsed at 11:52 on November 1, 2024. This structural failure buried people under tonnes of concrete and killed 14 people instantly, including children. Three others struggled to survive their injuries, but only one person did not succumb to the damage, which brought the final death toll to 16. At the time of the accident, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and its founder, then President Aleksandar Vucic, held power in Serbia and Novi Sad.
The disaster caused immediate shock and mourning in the Danube city and throughout the country. Following the incident, the grief and anger that once filled the city gave way to talk of "liberation" after the ruling SNS suffered a bruising election defeat. This defeat came at the hands of a student-led protest movement.
Political shifts following the tragedy
The student-led protests and the resulting election results changed the political atmosphere in the region. Before the collapse, the SNS maintained firm rule over the country. The loss of power for the ruling party followed the massive public reaction to the deaths at the station.
| Event Detail | Specifics |
|---|---|
| Time of collapse | 11:52 |
| Instant deaths | 14 |
| Total deaths | 16 |
| Survivors from initial group | 1 |
The suddenness of the collapse killed many people before responders arrived. Those who survived the initial impact faced a difficult struggle to stay alive in the aftermath of the concrete falling. The tragedy remains a central part of the political conversation regarding the leadership that held power on the morning the canopy fell.
