Anniversary of the Novi Sad raid marked

A commemoration in Novi Sad marked the 73rd anniversary of the Novi Sad raid, one of the most tragic events in the history when Hungarian fascists killed or drowned in the ice-covered Danube between 1,300 and 1,700 Serbs, Jews and Roma, citizens of Novi Sad.

The citizens gathered on the plateau of the Family Monument at the Novi Sad Dock of the victims of the raid were addressed by Milos Vucevic, Mayor of Novi sad.

– Entire generations of Novi Sad citizens were gone in the city under ice. With our memory of the innocent victims, we are taking the exam on life and justice, and instilling ideas of peace into future generations – Vucevic said.

Serbian Orthodox Church Bishop Irinej held a commemoration service for the victims, while Chief rabbi in Serbia Isak Asijel performed a religious ceremony on behalf of the Jewish community.

Serbia's Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic laid wreaths at the monument on behalf of the Government of Serbia.

President of the Novi Sad city assembly Sinisa Sevic and representatives of the Novi Sad Jewish community and Roma organisation Matica Romska, Emilia Sefer and Marko Kaldaras dropped a wreath into the Danube from a ship of the Serbian Armed Forces river fleet, with honorary salute under the command of Second Lieutenant Aleksandar Kalabic and sounding of ship sirens.

The Hungarian Forces, Gendarmerie and the National Royal Police began the raid on the morning of January 21 to 24, 1942, searching through homes and arresting citizens and entire families. Some of the innocent victims were killed in the streets, some were led to the Novi Sad swimming area “Strand” were they were killed and thrown into the Danube, while some of them were simply led to the bank and were killed there or thrown alive the ice-covered river. The raid lasted for three days, and aside from citizens of Novi Sad, residents of nearby villages were also killed, so it is estimated that around 4,500 people were killed.