It has been two months since the tragic tram accident in Sarajevo. The investigation into the circumstances of this accident is ongoing, and prosecutors from the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor’s Office are still gathering the necessary evidence to determine all the facts that led to this tragedy.
A 23-year-old student of the Academy of Fine Arts, Erdoan Morankić, died in the accident, and a 17-year-old girl suffered serious injuries. At the time of the accident, they were standing at the tram stop near the Technical School in Sarajevo.
This accident led to mass protests on the streets of Sarajevo, the resignation of the Government of Sarajevo Canton, and the resignation of the executive director of GRAS, Senad Mujagić. It also raised numerous questions about the safety of public transport in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What Happened Next?
The day after the tram accident, the old trams were taken out of service in Sarajevo. The tram driver was arrested on suspicion of endangering public security, but the court rejected the Prosecutor’s Office request to place him in custody.
Protests took place in February and early March, but their intensity decreased compared to the initial days following the tragedy. Three days after the tragedy, the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton resigned, which brought down the entire government. Uk then focused on young people and their future, highlighting that they were the ones who took to the streets, raised their voices, and clearly stated their expectations from the authorities. The Assembly of Sarajevo Canton accepted Uk’sresignation on March 6, and since then, discussions about forming a new government have completely ceased. Although the executive director of GRAS, Mujagić, also resigned, the resignation was never approved.
The public was shocked to learn that the CCTV in the tram was not working, but this issue is rarely discussed in public. The public never got an answer as to how it was possible that the video CCTV was not working, despite public funds being spent on its installation and maintenance. At the moment when CCTVwas most needed, it was determined that there was no footage of the key moment. It is unclear to what extent the lack of video footage from the tram cabin will affect the investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office of Sarajevo Canton, but the driver emphasized that it is a key recording that would prove his innocence.
Where Does the Investigation Stand?
When asked about the progress of the investigation into the tram accident, the Prosecutor’s Office of Sarajevo Canton stated that extensive material documentation has been collected and numerous witnesses have been interviewed. They added that a forensic medical examination has been conducted.
“An order has been issued for a mechanical and electrical expert assessment, and upon completion of that evaluation, a traffic expert analysis will also be conducted. In parallel, other investigative actions are being carried out as determined by the acting prosecutors. Therefore, expert evaluations are being conducted by order of the prosecutor’s office, and they are crucial for any further action,” the statement read.
They added that the public will be informed in a timely manner about further steps and decisions after all relevant evidence hasbeen collected and analyzed.
The Prosecutor’s Office of Sarajevo Canton previously confirmed that video footage was obtained from the National Museum building and the Embassy of the United States.
“Extensive documentation was provided by the Ministry of Transport of Sarajevo Canton, which refers to the reconstruction of the entire tram rail system and signal plans for all relevant intersections to be examined,” the Prosecutor’s Office of Sarajevo Canton previously stated.
Who Will Be Held Responsible?
After the tragic event, the public, to this day, has not received a clear answer to what caused the accident. The investigation is ongoing, but the key circumstances which led to the accident are still unclear.
It is also not known whether the tragic outcome of the accident was caused by a human mistake, technical malfunction, or possible combination of multiple circumstances that came together at that critical moment.
The aforementioned segment of the investigation is crucial, because it should show whether the tragedy could be have been prevented, and who should be held responsible, Klix.ba writes.
