Protests as Serbia marks anniversary of tragedy that killed 16

People observe 16 minutes of silence in memory of the victims, outside the train station (Darko Vojinovic/AP/PA)

Tens of thousands of students and other opponents of Serbia’s populist president are converging on the northern city of Novi Sad for the massive commemoration of the victims of a tragedy a year ago that killed 16 people.

Ahead of the commemorative rally, momentum has been building in favour of opposition demands for major changes in the Balkan country, after nearly a year of student-led anti-government protests that have seriously shaken Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his firm grip on power.