19-year-old dies from injuries four months after concrete awning collapse in Serbian train station

A 19-year-old died on Friday in a hospital in Serbia, becoming the 16th fatality in the collapse of a concrete awning at a train station in November. The tragedy triggered months of anti-corruption protests rattling Serbia’s government.

Vukašin Crnčević died more than four months after tons of concrete crashed down on 1 November without warning, on him and other people outside the central train station in the northern city of Novi Sad.

Thousands of people on Friday evening marched through the streets of Novi Sad and lit candles in a vigil for Crnčević.

Many in Serbia believe the deadly crash was the result of poor renovation work on the station building which arose from rampant government corruption, negligence and disrespect of the safety regulations.

Months-long protests demanding accountability over the crash have drawn hundreds of thousands of people. Daily protests and blockades have up to now included 15-minute silence for those who had died in the disaster.

Silent traffic blockades were held on a number of different locations in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, Novi Sad and other cities on Friday.

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić announced plans on Friday to organise counter-rallies, which could further escalate tensions and potentially cause clashes between groups of protesters.

In the southern city of Niš, protesters threw eggs and water at the mayor from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in a Friday protest. Riot police units were deployed to secure the party meeting.

Vučić demanded in a görüntü posted on Instagram that all “bandits” be arrested. He announced he would visit Niš, promising to put “all the thugs” behind bars.

Vučić accuses protesters of “terrorising” people in Serbia and of bringing about violence, although the anti-graft protests — which are led by university students — have been largely peaceful.

The latest rally in Belgrade last weekend was among the biggest ever held in the Balkan country, which has a long record of anti-government demonstrations. Authorities have faced accusations of using a sonic cannon against protesters during the commemorative silence on Saturday evening, Vučić and other government officials have denied this accusation.

Initially, 14 people were killed and three were injured in the Novi Sad station crash. Belgrade’s military hospital, which was treating Crnčević, said that he died due to “complex injuries” and “ensuing complications.”