Serbia: Minister to resign over train station roof collapse
November 4, 2024Serbia's minister of consruction, transport and infrastructure, Goran Vesic, said on Monday he would resign after 14 people were killed last week when a train station roof collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad.
"Tomorrow morning I will officially submit my resignation as minister of construction, transportation and infrastructure," Vesic said during a live broadcast.
"I submit the resignation as a responsible man who wants to show by personal example that in today's Serbia there is a moral responsibility since such a terrible accident happened under the department that I lead."
However, Vesic added that he did not "accept the guilt for the deaths of 14 people" killed in Friday's accident.
What happened in Novi Sad?
Part of the concrete roof canopy above the entrance of the Novi Sad railway station collapsed on Friday, but it was not immediately clear why.
It occurred just months after the station finished a years-long renovation in July, which authorities said did not include the collapsed roof. Construction work was still ongoing in parts of the building.
Angry protests follow deaths
The fatal incident sparked outrage in Serbia, with people having taking to the streets and social media to denounce Vesic and other government officials for what they allege is weak oversight on construction and development projects.
On Sunday, hundreds of protesters rallied in front of the construction ministry in Belgrade, throwing red paint at the building and demanding the minister's resignation.
Prosecutors in Novi Sad said on Sunday that Vesic was questioned over the weekend along with dozens other people amid their investigation into the fatal accident.
km/msh (AFP, Reuters)