Vucic: I call on everyone to light candles for victims of Novi Sad tragedy

BELGRADE - In a public address, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he would go to church on Saturday, the anniversary of last year's deadly roof collapse at the Novi Sad railway station, to light candles for the 16 victims of the tragedy and called on people to do the same to show respect to the victims and to each other, urging everyone that the day might pass peacefully.

"Tomorrow, on November 1, I will go to church to pray to God, to light candles for each of them. I also call on people to do the same, and I know that many of you will do so. I know and understand that, in times of grief, some people seek solace in gatherings, on the streets, on squares and in other places. Everyone commemorates that and grieves in the way they think is best. As long as it is being done in a peaceful and lawful manner, with respect and consideration for other people, I fully support that," Vucic said at the Presidency of Serbia.

He urged everyone to show respect to the victims and their families, as well as to each other.

"I know that many are still very angry and that they feel powerless over the fact that the culprits of that terrible incident have still not been identified, let alone punished. I do not have to stress that that is extremely disappointing, even though such proceedings are complicated and take a long time even in much more advanced countries. I can understand anger, especially anger coming from the families of the victims and those who were directly hurt and impacted by the tragedy. I sincerely hope that an answer to that question will be provided soon, in a manner that will give some kind of justice to the families and to everyone in Serbia," Vucic said.

He noted that, to him, it was important not only to uncover what exactly had happened and why, but also to find ways to prevent such terrible things from happening again or, at least, to reduce the likelihood of that to the least possible extent.

He called on protesters in the country to make another attempt at dialogue after Saturday's commemorations for the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy, and noted that the day should be "one that unites us, and not one that creates further discord among us."

"I again call on those who are protesting to take seats at the table and express their wishes, to take part in discussions, debates. Not through ultimatums, but as part of discussions," Vucic said.