BELGRADE (Reuters) – Tons of of opposition activists rallied in Belgrade on Sunday to protest over a lethal accident at a railway station in Serbia’s north, for which they blame negligence and corruption by the authorities.
The catastrophe on Friday within the metropolis of Novi Unhappy, about 70 km (40 miles) northwest of Belgrade, occurred when roofing alongside the doorway to the station all of a sudden collapsed, killing 14 folks and severely injuring three.
Protesters carrying banners studying “The blood is on your hands,” and “Corruption kills,” and chanting “Arrest (President Aleksandar) Vucic”, marched by authorities buildings within the middle of the Serbian capital.
“We are all shaken and furious … the state is directly responsible for this,” mentioned Djordje Dimitrijevic, a protester.
Serbia’s opposition politicians, activists and rights teams accuse authorities loyal to Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Celebration of rampant corruption, ties with organised crime, nepotism and extreme pink tape.
Vucic and his allies deny such allegations.
Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic mentioned on Sunday authorities have been investigating who’s liable for the catastrophe.
“Prosecution and police are working to establish criminal responsibility … (and) there is no avoidance of political responsibility,” Vucevic mentioned in a TV broadcast.
The station in Novi Unhappy was renovated in 2021 and 2022. Different minor works continued till July this yr.
The prosecutor’s workplace within the metropolis mentioned on Sunday its investigators had interviewed 26 folks in reference to the accident, together with Transportation Minister Goran Vesic, and had secured paperwork of significance. One other 14 folks have been summoned for questioning, it added.
