Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Belgrade on Sunday, demanding accountability from Serbian leaders for the collapse of a train station roof last month, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 15 people. This protest is the latest episode in seven weeks of nationwide demonstrations ignited by the incident, with many participants accusing the government of corruption and gross negligence.
The recent demonstration, organized by students and supported by various societal groups, began with 15 minutes of silence to honor the victims of the tragedy, before erupting with noise as protesters blew whistles and vuvuzelas for half an hour. This cacophony echoed through Slavija Square, one of Belgrade's main hubs where traffic came to a standstill as demonstrators filled the area.
According to the Serbian Interior Ministry, approximately 29,000 individuals participated, showcasing the scale of public discontent. Many carried banners demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and the Mayor of Novi Sad, where the train station collapse occurred. Among the attendees was 24-year-old software engineer Lazar, who articulated the pervasive sentiment: “The government has to fulfill every demand the students have and putting all the accountable people for this tragedy on trial is just the start.”
The tragedy unfolded on November 1 when the roof of the rebuilt station buckled after renovation work had been conducted, resulting in immediate devastation. Over the weeks following the disaster, 13 individuals, including government officials, have been arrested, yet the release of some has only fueled skepticism about the integrity of such investigations.
A notable figure at the protest was Nenad Radovanovic, a pensioner supporting the student movement. “Supporting these young people is the most important thing at this moment,” he told reporters, underlining the intergenerational solidarity against the government's perceived shortcomings.
Despite the scale of the protests, President Aleksandar Vucic has remained dismissive, stating on Saturday, “I don’t really care” about the demonstrations. He characterized the gathering on Sunday as “a significantly large assembly” but accused the protesting crowds of being manipulated by opposition factions seeking power. Vucic also acknowledged his willingness to hear protesters, asserting, “These people are opposition-oriented, and I have always been willing to hear what they think.”
To quell the mounting dissent, the government has recently announced plans to close schools early for winter holidays and promised subsidies targeted at youth, efforts viewed by many as inadequate. Students have continued to blockade faculties across Serbia, utilizing their educational institutions as platforms for protest.
Architect Daria Poljolka, 27, encapsulated the frustration felt by many when she stated, “I am here because enough is enough. We all took to the streets because this really does not make sense what is being done in this country.”
The protests have united various groups, including farmers and artists, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration and calls for thorough investigations related to the tragedy. With this growing momentum, public pressure on the government shows no signs of abatement.
While many Serbian citizens partake and chant for justice, the nation's leadership faces increasing challenges. The deep-rooted tensions highlight not only immediate issues surrounding accountability for the train station collapse but also broader societal grievances against government corruption and neglect.
Looking forward, the events surrounding this tragedy and the resulting protests may reshape the political dynamics within Serbia as citizens strive for accountability and justice. The unity among protesters suggests long-term ramifications for the current government, and as demonstrators continue to voice their frustrations, the call for change reverberates through the streets of Belgrade.
