Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander, Crown Princess Katherine and family are deeply saddened with the tragic news of the deaths in Velika Ivanca near Mladenovac of 13 people, six innocent men, six women and a child, and the many wounded.
Their Royal Highnesses and family strongly condemn this horrific act of violence and appeal to authorities for wider control and security measures in all aspects for the future prevention of such tragedies.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander emphasised: “My family and I extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the innocent victims as well as hope for the fast recovery of the wounded. They are all in our prayers, thoughts and may they rest in peace.
As a post-conflict society with unhealed problems, we face many situations, also the economic and social situation. Our country is potentially looking at disasters emerging form past stress situations that can be life threatening. My family and I are deeply distraught with the news and we appeal to the public and media to overcome the silence in the hope of preventing tragedies like this one.
We appeal for urgent gun control legislation, higher monitoring and assistance of family, women and children abuse. Fear and feeling of helplessness are often triggers to such behaviour so my special plea goes out to media to help in reporting and broadcasting programmes that can affect people in that way. Alcohol and substance abuse are also an issue that Serbia is facing. The most important task for Serbia’s survival is to remain a healthy nation. Our duty is to do all that is possible to protect the vulnerable and not allow for this to ever happen again. A broad strategy of healing of the nation must take place”.