Belgrade, Serbia — Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in central Belgrade on Sunday evening, rallying against President Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The demonstration was sparked by the tragic collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad last month, which claimed the lives of 15 people and injured several others.
On November 1, a newly renovated concrete awning at the Novi Sad railway station collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals, with one more dying from injuries later. The roof’s failure, which occurred shortly after the renovation was completed, has ignited public outrage, with many blaming the incident on substandard construction practices allegedly stemming from corruption and nepotism within the government.
In response, opposition leaders and members of the public have repeatedly taken to the streets, demanding accountability for the tragedy. Protesters argue that the collapse was preventable and a result of mismanagement, with some even accusing the government of prioritizing political connections over public safety.
“We came here to say ‘Stop’ to everything that has been happening since 2012,” said Aleksa, a 30-year-old IT expert from Novi Sad. “We want to see an end to corruption and nepotism.”
At the Sunday protest, demonstrators held banners reading “You have blood on your hands” and chanted “Vucic, thief!”. For 15 minutes, they stood in silence, with many lighting their mobile phones as a tribute to the victims. This symbolic gesture was a moment of remembrance and a show of solidarity for the victims of the tragic accident.
The protests have extended beyond the capital, with students at state universities in Belgrade, Kragujevac, and Nis leading their own protests. For weeks, they have been demanding full disclosure of all documents related to the station’s renovation and calling for the criminal prosecution of officials who may be responsible for the disaster. As part of their demonstration, students have organized daily 15-minute traffic blockages in front of their faculties, commemorating the 15 victims of the collapse.
The ruling Serbian Progressive Party and President Vucic have denied accusations of corruption and negligence related to the incident. Vucic has publicly stated that those responsible will be held accountable, but this has done little to quell the rising discontent among the public. Critics argue that government promises of accountability ring hollow, given the long-standing issues with corruption in the country’s public sector.
As protests grow in scale and intensity, the Serbian government faces mounting pressure to address public concerns about corruption, mismanagement, and the safety of infrastructure projects. The tragedy in Novi Sad has become a rallying point for those frustrated with the current political leadership and their handling of national issues.
