• Tens of thousands gather in Novi Sad to commemorate the first anniversary of the train station roof collapse that killed 16.
• The commemoration included a poignant 16 minutes of silence, one for each victim.
• Protesters express anger over ongoing government corruption linked to the tragedy and demand accountability.
• Students have taken a leading role in regular protests, calling for early elections and systemic reforms.

On November 1, tens of thousands gathered in Novi Sad, Serbia, to mark the first anniversary of the tragic roof collapse at the railway station, an event that claimed 16 lives in 2024. The crowd observed a solemn 16 minutes of silence at 11:52 AM, the exact moment of the disaster, as family members grieved and laid flowers outside the still-damaged station. Many attendees, including students and war veterans, participated in a peaceful vigil, reflecting the enduring pain of loss in Serbian society, according to Indiatimes and Le Monde.

The commemoration coincided with ongoing protests across Serbia, driven by public outrage over allegations of corruption related to the station's renovation. Many participants have voiced demands for greater accountability, expressing frustrations with the government of President Aleksandar Vučić. Numerous high-profile protests, particularly led by students, have emerged over the past year, focusing on transparency and justice for the victims, according to Reuters and BBC.

Student-led protests have gained momentum in recent months as young activists have been calling for systemic changes and early elections, challenging the established political order in Serbia. The tragic incident has become a rallying point for a broader anti-corruption movement, as students argue that it highlights significant failings within public safety and accountability measures in government, according to Indiatimes, Reuters, and BBC.

The protests have not been without controversy, as tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement have sometimes escalated. However, on this anniversary, the focus was on honoring the victims and demanding justice, as participants held signs reading "corruption kills" in a poignant reminder of the disaster's implications. President Vučić expressed condolences, yet his government's credibility faces considerable scrutiny, especially as accusations of negligence and corruption surround the tragedy, according to Le Monde, Reuters, and BBC.