In Serbia, after the collapse of an awning at Novi Sad station, a second minister resigns

The second member of the Serbian government to leave office since the collapse of an awning at the Novi Sad train station, the Minister of Commerce, Tomislav Momirovic, presented his resignation on Wednesday November 20. “I thank the President of the Serbian Republic, Aleksandar Vucic, for his trust”he added in a letter published by Serbian Radio-Television (RTS).

In the hours following Mr. Momirovic's resignation, Jelena Tanaskovic, Serbia's acting director general of railway infrastructure, presented hers, according to national media. Tomislav Momirovic was construction minister under the previous government, when renovation work on the Novi Sad station was launched. His successor, Goran Vesic, resigned on November 4.

The work had been finished for a few weeks when the building's concrete canopy collapsed on 1^is November, instantly killing fourteen people aged between 6 and 74, and injuring three others. One of the injured succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, bringing the death toll to fifteen.

Seventy people interviewed, no indictment

Since the accident, the opposition and part of the population have demanded the resignation of political leaders and the publication of contracts signed with the companies that participated in the work. A consortium made up of four companies – two Chinese, China Railway International and China Communications Construction; a Frenchwoman, Egis; a Hungarian, Utiber – was responsible for the renovation. None of these companies responded to interview requests from Agence France-Presse.

Although investigators have interviewed more than 70 people since the investigation opened, no one has been arrested or indicted, fueling the anger of demonstrators who have been gathering regularly since 1^is november. Several of them were arrested during a November 5 rally in Novi Sad, some of whom remain in detention. The arrests reignited the anger of the opposition: several deputies blocked the public prosecutor's office and the courts of Novi Sad on Wednesday for the second consecutive day, demanding progress in the investigation.

In a statement to the press on Tuesday, the Serbian president estimated that “no one intentionally caused the tragedy, but ignorance, incompetence and irresponsibility cannot absolve anyone”adding that it was possible to wear “a political and moral responsibility even when totally innocent”. And announcing “new resignations – in government and elsewhere”.