Thousands of protesters in the Serbian capital Belgrade accused the country’s government on Monday of corruption and negligence, demanding political accountability after a roof collapse at a train station killed 14 people, including young children, in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city.

Gathering at the intersection of Nemanjina and Kneza Miloš streets, protesters expressed concerns about the government’s response to Novi Sad and dissatisfaction with the government’s administration. The protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, and Novi Sad Mayor Milan Đurić, the publication of the Novi Sad railway station contracts, the immediate arrest of those responsible for the 14 deaths, and the release of those innocently detained.

At the protest, Democratic Party MP Borislav Novaković presented the demands which were to be submitted to the Presidency. However, as the Presidency’s doors were locked, MP Srđan Milivojević said they would submit them to the National Assembly. Serbia’s construction minister, Goran Vesić, resigned on November 5.

The protest in Belgrade was peaceful compared to the riot in Novi Sad, where it was said that the city hall was attacked, police used tear gas, and nine people were arrested for violent behavior.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had requested for the Serbian government and Novi Sad’s High Prosecutor’s Office to “severely punish” those responsible for the collapse. An investigation has been opened by prosecutors in Novi Sad, including the Traffic Institute, state railway company and the China Railway International and China Communications Construction Company that carried out the renovations but Borislav Novaković, former mayor of Novi Sad, said that no one has been held accountable.

The train station where the collapse occurred was built in 1964, and the Transport Ministry said €16 million had been invested into renovations in 2021 and 2022.