A 19-year-old Serbian man, Vukašin Crnčević, has died from injuries sustained in the November collapse of a concrete awning at a train station in Novi Sad, bringing the death toll to 16.
Crnčević succumbed to his injuries on Friday, more than four months after tons of concrete unexpectedly crashed down on commuters outside the central train station. The tragedy has fueled months of anti-corruption protests across Serbia, with demonstrators blaming government negligence and unsafe renovation work for the disaster.
Thousands gathered in Novi Sad on Friday for a candlelight vigil in Crnčević’s memory, while silent traffic blockades were held in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and other cities. The protests, led by university students, have drawn hundreds of thousands of people demanding accountability from authorities.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who has dismissed the protests as acts of “terror,” announced plans for counter-rallies and ordered arrests of demonstrators, escalating tensions. In Niš, protesters threw eggs and water at the city’s mayor during a Friday rally, prompting riot police deployment.
The latest anti-corruption demonstration in Belgrade last weekend was one of Serbia’s largest in recent years. Authorities have denied accusations of using a sonic cannon against protesters during a moment of silence held for the victims.
Initially, 14 people were killed and three were injured in the Novi Sad station collapse. Belgrade’s military hospital confirmed that Crnčević died due to “complex injuries” and complications from the accident.
