Serbian Trade Minister Tomislav Momirovic has resigned in connection with the collapse of a train station shed in Novi Sad that claimed the lives of 15 people, AFP reported. 

Momirovic became the second member of the Serbian government to resign after Trade Minister Goran Vesic stepped down on 5 November.

The Novi Sad tragedy, which occurred on 1 November, sparked anger across the country. Many blame the deaths on rampant corruption and poor oversight of construction projects.

14 people aged between 6 and 74 were killed on the spot and one person died in hospital on 17 November. Doctors are struggling to save the lives of two of the injured.

Numerous protests were held across the country demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and the mayor of Novi Sad. Protesters are demanding the prosecution of the officials responsible for the tragedy.

On 20 November, opposition MPs blockaded the Novi Sad prosecutor's office and courts for a second day in a row, calling for progress in the investigation. 

Momirovic, who is leaving his post as trade minister, was Vesic's predecessor from 2020 to 2022 - the period in which repairs to the collapsed shed began.

"I am informing you that I am resigning from the post of minister of internal and external trade. I am grateful to the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, for the trust placed in me," Momirovic's resignation letter said.

On 19 November, Vucic announced that he expected further resignations, before calling on the government of his nationalist Serbian Progressive Party (SPP) to take responsibility.

"No one deliberately caused the tragedy, but ignorance, incompetence and irresponsibility do not absolve guilt," the Serbian president said. | BGNES