Belgrade: Tens of thousands of protesters in Belgrade gathered on Sunday, holding their mobile phones aloft with their lights switched on, standing in silence for 15 minutes to honor the victims of a railway station roof collapse. The tragedy, which claimed 15 lives, has ignited widespread outrage, with demonstrators blaming government corruption and negligence for the disaster.
The protest, organized by students from Belgrade’s state university, called for justice for the victims and accountability for those responsible. Students have accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), led by President Aleksandar Vucic, of fostering corruption and nepotism—allegations that both Vucic and the party deny.
The tragedy occurred on November 1 when the concrete awning of Novi Sad station’s recently renovated roof collapsed, killing 14 people on-site and injuring three others. One of the injured later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the death toll to 15. The renovation project has come under intense scrutiny, with opposition leaders and the public alleging substandard construction practices tied to corruption.
“We have been unhappy for years. We came here to express our revolt [with authorities] and to support students,” said Tamara Kovacevic, a protester at the demonstration.
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Students from state universities in Belgrade, Kragujevac, and Nis have intensified their protests in the weeks following the disaster. They have blockaded classes and demanded the release of all documentation related to the station’s renovation, alongside the criminal prosecution of those implicated. As part of their demonstrations, students have been halting traffic outside their faculties daily for 15 minutes, symbolizing each of the 15 victims.
President Vucic, while denying systemic corruption within his administration, has stated that those responsible for the collapse must face consequences. However, dissatisfaction continues to mount as protesters seek more significant action and transparency.
