Protests in Serbia after train station roof collapse, minister demands resignation

After marching through the streets of the centre of the capital, the protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, where they observed a minute of silence in tribute to the victims.

"Because we are all under outdoor roofs, and it is a matter of time before something falls on us," warned protester Pavle Jaksic, interviewed by AFP.

"Changes have to happen. There is someone who is responsible for everything, and the person responsible must be found and driven out of here as soon as possible," demanded Natasa Simeunovic, 26, raising a hand painted red.

The protesters, gathered by the student association "SviCe", threw red paint in front of the ministry, which they said symbolised the government's "red hands" due to negligence and mismanagement.

They also called for the resignation of the Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Goran Vesic.

"We demand the resignation of Goran Vesic," said Ivan Bjelic, one of the organizers of the demonstration. If this is not the case, the organizers are threatening to radicalize the demonstrations on Tuesday in Novi Sad.

The Novi Sad prosecutor general's office said in a statement on Sunday that the minister was questioned on Saturday along with 25 other people.

"Documents from the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure have been seized and will be handed over to experts for further processing. The questioning of 14 people has been ordered for today," the statement said.

After three years of partial renovation, a portion of the railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city, reopened in July. But some parts are still under construction.

Serbian Railways, however, clarified that the collapsed exterior roof was not part of the renovations carried out.

Serbia declared Saturday an official day of mourning, while Novi Sad and the province of Vojvodina, of which it is the capital, declared three days of mourning.