Lawmakers brawl in Serbia parliament amid accusations over train station roof collapse that killed 15 people
14 killed, dozens hurt in northern Serbia train station roof collapse
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Scuffles and fistfights between ruling party and opposition lawmakers broke out in Serbia’s parliament on Monday, weeks after a deadly rail station roof collapse that ignited tensions in the Balkan state.
The opposition wanted to discuss who is responsible for the crash that killed 15 people at the station in the northern city of Novi Sad on Nov. 1, while governing officials, who have a majority in Serbia’s legislature, sought to adopt a bill on next year’s state budget.
The opposition displayed a banner showing a red handprint reading “blood is on your hands,” while the ruling party responded with a banner accusing the opposition of wanting “war while Serbia wants to work.”
/ AP
Scuffles erupted when the two sides tried to grab each other’s banner.
BBC reported that more than 20,000 people took to its streets and squares during one demonstration – the biggest protest seen in the city for decades. Last week, prosecutors ordered the questioning of 11 people in connection with the disaster, the BBC reported.
Serbia’s former construction minister was among those arrested, according to the BBC. Goran Vesic resigned in the days following the collapse, but he denied any culpability.
“I cannot accept guilt for the deaths,” he said, “because I, and the people who work with me, have not an ounce of responsibility for the tragedy that occurred.”
Stringer / REUTERS
The rail station, a major hub, was recently renovated as part of a Serbian-Chinese partnership. Critics allege that corruption, poor oversight and inadequate construction work contributed to the tragedy.
The collapse became a flashpoint for broader dissatisfaction with Serbia’s authoritarian rule, reflecting growing public demands for transparency while the country undertakes large infrastructure projects, mostly with Chinese state companies.
Source: cbsnews.com