Vucic called on Serbs to unite on the anniversary of the tragedy in Novi Sad

On November 1, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called on the country's citizens for unity and dignity on the first anniversary of the tragedy at the railway station in Novi Sad, where 16 people died when a canopy collapsed.

Vucic attended a memorial service for the victims of the collapse at St. Sava's Cathedral in Belgrade. After that, he issued an appeal to the citizens of Serbia on his Instagram page (owned by Meta, which is recognized as extremist in the territory of the Russian Federation).

"Let the sadness of the family unite us, not separate us. Let peace and responsibility lead us, and we will seek truth in institutions, patiently and with great respect," he wrote.

In a statement, Vucic stressed that on memorial Day it is important to avoid conflicts and harsh words. He called on the Serbs to show mutual respect, solve problems through dialogue and strengthen social ties.

The Serbian President expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims, noting that the names of the victims should remain in the hearts of compatriots. The Head of State assured that Serbia will continue to develop as a country where safety and caring for people are priorities.

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Earlier in the day, large-scale commemorative events began in Novi Sad, Serbia, on the anniversary of the tragedy that caused the collapse of the railway station. According to journalist Sergey Petrov, the students, accompanied by military veterans, began moving towards the railway station. The journalist added that flowers should be laid there.

In November 2024, 15 people died as a result of the collapse of a canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad. After that, anti-government protests began in Serbia. The protesters blocked bridges and roads. In July 2025, Vucic called on those who took to the streets not to block the city, threatening to use counteraction measures, but since August 2025, street riots have become especially widespread and violent.

A memorial protest rally was held in Belgrade on September 1. Against the background of the latest protests, several central streets were blocked, the city was "stuck in traffic jams," and participants in anti-government rallies threw stones and bottles at police officers in front of the university's Faculty of Philosophy building. The march was organized jointly with students and students of secondary educational institutions. The protest action was of a memorial nature, as that day marked 10 months since the tragedy in Novi Sad.

Later, on October 31, Srbiyavoz, a company representing Serbian railways, announced that all railway services had been stopped in the country due to a threat of a terrorist attack. It was clarified that the terrorist attack was reported on the eve of the anniversary of the tragedy in Novi Sad.

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