Serbia, the Novi Sad massacre two years ago: today thousands in the streets for the commemoration

The tragedy of Novi Sad

The disaster had triggered a vast protest movement against the government, which culminated a week ago in the historic electoral defeat of Aleksandar Vucic's nationalist party, after years in power. "It is difficult to return to the place where everything happened. And every time it is more and more difficult", said Dijana Hrka, mother of Stefan, who died in the collapse at the age of 27. Having become one of the symbols of the protests, the woman continued to demand justice for her son. "People's support was fundamental for me," he explained, recalling that no one has yet been held accountable for his death.

The protests in Serbia

This year the commemoration takes on a particular political significance. In the early legislative elections last Sunday, the list supported by the student movement, born from the protests over the Novi Sad tragedy, won 140 of the 250 seats in Parliament, obtaining an absolute majority and putting an end to the domination of Vucic's nationalist party. After the defeat of the ruling party, students called for progress in investigations into several cases of corruption and murders, new checks on projects launched by the outgoing government and the resignation of the heads of important state institutions, including the police and intelligence services. The determination of responsibility for the collapse of the station also remains at the center of the claims.

Investigations into the collapse

Meanwhile, investigations into the accident are still continuing. Former Construction Minister Goran Vesic, who resigned a few days after the tragedy, was indicted in 2025 along with 12 other people for a serious crime against public safety. Vesic is also under investigation in a separate proceeding for alleged corruption linked to the financing of the works, together, among others, with former minister Tomislav Momirovic. The European Public Prosecutor's Office is also conducting an investigation into a possible illicit use of EU funds intended for restructuring. For the victims' families, the students' electoral victory represents above all the hope of finally getting to the truth.