Two years since the Novi Sad tragedy: Commemorative ceremony held; Patriarch leads Memorial Service PHOTO

The commemorative gathering marking the second anniversary of the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station, which claimed 16 lives and was organized at the invitation of students in blockade, concluded with the laying of wreaths and flowers and the lighting of candles in memory of the victims.

During the commemorative program, several choirs performed the song "Cveta trešnja" (The Cherry Tree Is in Bloom), while poems by Branko Miljković, "Praise of the World," and Aleksa Šantić, "Why Are You Gone?", were recited. In her speech, one of the students recalled the events of November 1, 2024, and stressed that students would not give up their demands for accountability for the tragedy.

"The word 'tragedy' does not adequately describe what happened on November 1, 2024. A tragedy describes an accident, an unforeseen event, but behind this word, the word we are all seeking can be cleverly concealed: accountability," the student said.

She also recalled the gatherings, protests and memorial events during which people across Serbia stopped and paid tribute to the victims at 11:52 a.m., the exact time when the canopy collapsed.

The student said they had raised their voices when accountability was lacking, initially by remaining silent, adding that students would continue to demand justice and accountability.

The commemorative gathering was also attended by representatives of the "Student List" movement, Radomir Saičić, Ilija Srdanović, Mihailo Dudaš and Dragan Jovanović, as well as actor Tihomir Stanić.

Citizens and students approached the area in front of the Railway Station throughout the gathering, laying flowers and lighting candles in memory of the victims.

Patriarch leads Memorial Service at the Church of Saint Sava

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije led a memorial service today for all those killed in the canopy collapse, following the liturgy at the Church of Saint Sava in Vračar.

Porfirije said that faith in God and love for one's neighbours oblige people to remember, pray and care for one another forever. He stressed that the grief of the victims' families and the entire nation could be eased through the comfort of prayer, as well as through an awareness of responsibility.

"We pray for the repose of the souls of those who innocently perished beneath the canopy in Novi Sad, asking the Lord to grant them the Kingdom of Heaven, rest, peace and joy in a place where there is no sorrow, sighing or pain, and to bring comfort to all their loved ones," the Patriarch said.

He called on believers never to forget the victims in their prayers, stressing that everyone bears some responsibility, although some bear responsibility in a different way for what happened.

The Patriarch added that the tragedy in Novi Sad should serve as an incentive for people to draw closer to God and treat one another better.

Tragedy that claimed 16 lives

The canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station collapsed on November 1, 2024, at 11:52 a.m.

Fourteen people died at the scene, while three others were seriously injured. Two of the injured later died from their injuries, bringing the total death toll to 16.