Serbia marks anniversary of deadly train station disaster with large rally

Tens of thousands of people from all over Serbia commemorated the victims of a railway station disaster a year ago in the northern city of Novi Sad ina gathering on Saturday seen as a massive display of discontent with the government ofautocratic President Aleksandar Vucic.

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The collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad train station last Nov. 1 killed 16 people. The tragedy triggered youth-led street protests and nationwide movement demanding political changes that have seriously shaken Vucic’s tight hold on power.

The protesters believe that the concrete construction at the renovated station building in Novi Sad collapsed because rampant corruption and nepotism in state infrastructure projects with China led to fatal disregard of safety rules. No one has been held responsible though 13 people have been charged.