Students gather against the government in Serbia: Protests continue in Belgrade
The train accident in Novi Sad that resulted in the deaths of 15 people was protested in Belgrade with the participation of thousands of students. The students demanded that those responsible for the accident be punished and called for transparency. President Vucic announced that measures have been taken to ensure the demonstrations remain peaceful. Anti-government protests continue across the country.
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Protests that began following the accident at the train station in the city of Novi Sad in Serbia last year continued today (March 15) with a large demonstration in the capital, Belgrade. Thousands of students from all over the country flocked to Belgrade for the action organized under the slogan "The 15th of the month for the 15 people." The demonstrators are demanding that those responsible for the accident, in which 15 people lost their lives when a concrete canopy collapsed on November 1, 2024, be punished.
Students began gathering in the capital for today's action, which is described as the largest of the protests that have been ongoing for 4 months since the accident in Novi Sad. Participants who arrived from different cities in the country by walking, running, or cycling were welcomed in Belgrade with applause and Serbian flags. Local media stated that the demonstration would be one of the largest anti-government protests in the country's history.
DEMAND FOR 'THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO BE FOUND'
The students demanded that those responsible for the accident be put on trial, that documents regarding the construction and repair of the station be fully disclosed, and that students and academics detained in previous protests be released. Although President Aleksandar Vucic announced that the demands were being met, the students argued that these steps were insufficient.
Vucic emphasized that necessary measures had been taken to ensure the demonstrations took place peacefully, adding that those who did not comply with security rules would be punished. While Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned following the accident, the students expressed that all those responsible must be brought to light.
The accident that occurred at the train station in Novi Sad caused a great public outcry in the country. With the protests they started under the slogan 'Stop Serbia', students protested the government's negligence. The demonstrations continue in various cities of the country, primarily in Belgrade.