Sarajevo prosecutors are conducting a broad investigation into a tram accident that killed one person and injured four, focusing not only on the circumstances of the crash but also on technical issues, maintenance practices, and the possible responsibility of the driver, the public transport company GRAS, and the Canton Sarajevo Ministry of Transport.
Chief Prosecutor Meliha Žugalija told a press conference on Wednesday that investigators are reviewing vehicle safety, braking systems, video surveillance, and maintenance records of the city’s aging tram fleet. “The investigation will not be rushed or selective, and no one’s responsibility will remain hidden,” she said.
The accident occurred on Feb. 12 near the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, when tram number 516 derailed and struck a tram stop. One 23-year-old man was killed, two people were seriously injured, and two others sustained minor injuries.
The tram driver, identified as A.K., was initially detained and questioned as a suspect, but later released. Tests showed no presence of alcohol in his system, according to Police Commissioner Fatmir Hajdarević. Sarajevo’s Municipal Court confirmed there is a basis to suspect “negligent endangerment of public transport safety,” a crime punishable by up to eight years in prison.
Žugalija said the probe extends beyond driver actions, covering the technical condition of the tram, the pace and quality of maintenance, the age of the fleet, and potential failures in monitoring and management systems. Investigators are also examining public procurement procedures for braking and video surveillance components, noting that the cameras in tram 516 and four other vehicles had been nonfunctional for months.
The investigation involves traffic, mechanical, and medical experts, and foreign specialists may be consulted. Video footage has been collected from trams and surrounding locations, including commercial buildings and the U.S. Embassy, which is expected to respond.
GRAS director Senad Mujagić, who recently resigned alongside Sarajevo Prime Minister Nihad Uk, has not yet been questioned. Prosecutors have interviewed around 50 people, including passengers, GRAS staff, and bystanders.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of Sarajevo’s public transport system, long criticized for its aging fleet, with tram 516 reportedly part of a fleet acquired from former Czechoslovakia. Following the accident, the public staged multiple protests demanding independent investigations.
Previously, GRAS has faced financial difficulties and was among the largest tax debtors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2022, prosecutors filed criminal complaints against former transport ministers, directors, and supervisory board members over alleged misuse of funds, but the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor’s Office later decided not to pursue an investigation after reviewing evidence.
Žugalija said ongoing inquiries will aim to determine whether the accident resulted from human error, technical malfunction, poor maintenance, or a combination of factors. The outcome of expert assessments will guide further prosecutorial actions.