Protests in Greece spread to Serbia: Train accident demonstrations expand

Following the accident at the train station in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad that left 15 people dead, students reacting against the government have initiated a 24-hour road blockade at 'Autokomanda', one of the most important intersections in the capital, Belgrade. Just the other day, people in Greece also held a protest march in the capital, Athens, to protest a train accident that occurred in 2023.

Thousands of university, college, and high school students, reacting to the government after the accident on November 1, 2024, where 15 people lost their lives due to the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad train station, arrived at the 'Autokomanda' location, one of the 'key' points of traffic flow in the capital.

Carrying signs reading 'Your hands are bloody' and Serbian flags, the students announced that the road blockade they started at 10:00 local time would last for 24 hours.

STATE WILL PROVIDE SERVICES TO PROTESTERS

Marijana Djuric from the Belgrade Emergency and Coordination Department stated in a statement to the national press that water, emergency aid, toilets, and waste collection services would be provided to the protesters throughout the road blockade.

Meanwhile, it was observed that student groups arrived at the intersection from different routes and that a large number of police officers were on duty to ensure security in the city.

On the other hand, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in his statement regarding the road blockade, noted that such demonstrations are against the law and that the police would do what is necessary to prevent any incidents.

Vucic is also expected to hold a joint press conference with Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On November 1, 2024, 15 people lost their lives as a result of the collapse of a concrete canopy at the train station in Novi Sad, and it was announced that the lives of 2 people who were seriously injured remained in danger.

Following the incident, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic and Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade Tomislav Momirovic resigned. After the prosecutor's investigation, 11 people, including Minister Vesic, were detained.

While suspicions of negligence were raised regarding the repair work carried out at the train station in 2021, it was stated that the police had questioned a large number of people regarding the incident. Following the accident, students reacting to the government organized protests across the country under the slogan 'Stop Serbia' and boycotted schools and classes.

News Source: AA