Commemoration Marks 20 Years Since Montenegro’s Railway Tragedy

A poignant ceremony took place in the city park of Bijelo Polje on January 23, 2026, marking the 20th anniversary of a tragic railway accident that claimed the lives of 47 passengers. Over 200 others were injured in what is considered Montenegro’s deadliest railway disaster. Families of the victims and survivors gathered at the memorial for the victims near the site of the accident, paying their respects with flowers and a moment of silence.

Goran Vojinović, President of the Board of the non-governmental organization NVO “Voz neprebola – Bioče 2006”, expressed the deep frustrations of the victims’ families. In a significant gesture of protest against the state’s handling of the aftermath, they chose not to provide statements during the commemoration, opting instead to convey their sentiments through a recent press release. “Everything we needed to say regarding this tragedy has already been communicated to the public,” Vojinović remarked.

Calls for Accountability and Justice

In the press release, Vojinović emphasized that two decades have passed since what he described as a “committed crime” at Bioče, which he claims is systematically overlooked by authorities. He criticized the government and various institutions for their “shameful” avoidance of accountability, suggesting they protect perpetrators, both direct and indirect, across all branches of government.

Vojinović stated, “There is a significant difference between our understanding of truth and justice regarding what happened on January 23, 2006. Unfortunately, 47 is not the final number of the deceased, as the crime continues through the severe consequences borne by survivors.” He pointed out that warnings about potential accidents were raised as early as 2002, when concerns were voiced regarding the unsuitability of electric trains and the steep incline of the tracks between Kolašin and Podgorica. These warnings were reportedly directed at the government, the Ministry of Transport, and railway management but were not taken seriously.

He highlighted a decision to remove six braking systems from electric trains in the name of “profitability,” which he argues only exacerbated the safety risks for passengers.

Ignored Warnings and Systematic Failures

The press release also referenced findings from December 2005, just one month before the accident, when measurements taken by Željeznice Crne Gore indicated excessive damage to the tracks in the tunnel where the train later derailed. According to regulations, this should have led to an immediate suspension of services. Instead, the train was allowed to operate despite being technically defective.

On the day of the tragedy, a series of failures occurred, from the dispatching of the faulty train to its operation by the crew. Vojinović listed the oversights of the train driver, dispatcher, inspectors, and relevant authorities as contributing factors to the disaster. He concluded that the government, the Ministry of Transport, and Željeznice Crne Gore had years to prevent this tragedy. However, he accused them of “negligent conduct, violating service rules, abuse of position, corruption, and irresponsibility,” ultimately allowing the catastrophic event to unfold.

The commemorative event in Bijelo Polje serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of negligence and the long-lasting impact of such tragedies on the lives of survivors and families of victims. As the community reflects on this dark chapter in Montenegro’s transport history, calls for accountability and justice remain a central theme in the ongoing dialogue surrounding the accident.