The City of Smederevo marked 82 years since the 5 June explosion, one of the greatest tragedies in the history of our city. On that day, the explosion of ammunition stored in Smederevo Fortress killed several thousand people from Smederevo and the surrounding area. The cause of the tragedy and the exact number of victims have not been established to this day. The force of the explosion destroyed or damaged two thirds of the buildings and houses in Smederevo.
At noon, the clergy of the Smederevo Church Municipality, together with representatives of the City of Smederevo, the Deputy President of the City Assembly of Smederevo, Branče Stojanović, and Maja Ćirković, Member of the City Council responsible for culture, tourism and information, and with members of the families of those who died in the 5 June tragedy, held a memorial service for the victims at the Old Smederevo Cemetery.
A locomotive whistle at 14:14 marked the moment when, on that 5 June back in 1941, the first blast was heard near the main entrance to the Fortress, after which a fire broke out. In remembrance of the victims, wreaths were laid at the 5 June Monument by representatives of the city leadership, the Mayor of Smederevo, Jovan Beč, and Maja Ćirković, Member of the City Council responsible for culture, tourism and information. Wreaths were also laid by representatives of the City Board of the SPS, the City Board of SUBNOR, the Association of Civilian War Invalids, the Association of Descendants of the Warriors of 1912–1918, the families of the victims and pupils of Smederevo Grammar School.
Those present were also addressed by the Director of the Museum in Smederevo, Tatjana Gačpar, who pointed out the significance and importance of marking this date for the history of our city and for the generations to come. “This year we mark 82 years since the devastating explosion of the ordnance and other explosive devices collected in Smederevo Fortress, which occurred on 5 June 1941. Like few events before or after it, it will remain inscribed in the public memory of the people of Smederevo, and of the whole of Serbia, both because of the exceptionally large number of victims and because of the unprecedented destruction of Smederevo. On Thursday, 5 June 1941, at 14:14, not far from the main gate of Smederevo Fortress, an explosion occurred that turned into a series of powerful detonations, causing great destruction throughout the city. Many public buildings and private houses were completely destroyed, and only a small number remained undamaged. The explosion in Smederevo Fortress on 5 June 1941 was one of the greatest tragedies to befall the Serbian people in the period from the April War of 1941 and the establishment of the German occupation administration in central Serbia until the mass killings of civilians in Kragujevac and Kraljevo in October of the same year,” Director Gačpar stressed, among other things.
Finally, she reminded those present to remember the 5 June tragedy every time they pass the Monument to 5 June 1941 or the memorial ossuary in the Old Cemetery, or enter Smederevo Fortress.
As is tradition, pupils of the Grammar School performed a special programme in honour of their schoolmates who had received their diplomas on that same day and passed into eternity in the bloom of youth. On behalf of the Grammar School pupils, the programme was performed by second-year pupils Teodor Lorić and Jovana Simić. Those present then also heard Marija Đurđević, a pupil of the secondary Music School “Kosta Manojlović” in Smederevo.
