Students in Serbia continue protesting against road closure
Thousands of students in Serbia continue to protest against the government following a tragic accident at the train station in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024. The collapse at the station resulted in the loss of 15 lives, prompting students to take action at the “Autokomanda” point, a key traffic junction for school and high school students.
Displaying messages such as “Your hands are bloody” alongside foreign currencies and Serbian flags, the students have been protesting since yesterday morning and plan to end their road closure demonstration at 10:00 local time today. As the demonstration continues, thousands of citizens have joined in to show their support.
The Belgrade Extraordinary Situation and Coordination Department has been providing essential services to the demonstrators, including water, emergency aid, toilet facilities, and waste collection. Additionally, a significant police presence has been deployed in the region to ensure the safety of both the demonstrators and the general public.
In response to the student-led protests, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, along with Prime Minister Milos Vucic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, have called for dialogue. President Vucic expressed his commitment to holding those responsible for the train station collapse accountable and offered to sign an amnesty decision for those who had been detained in connection with the incident.
The incident in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, resulted in the tragic loss of 15 lives and the continued danger to the lives of two seriously injured individuals. Following the accident, the Ministers of Construction, Transportation, and Infrastructure resigned, and 11 individuals, including Minister Vesic, were detained after a prosecution investigation.
Suspicions of negligence in repair work at the train station in 2021 have been raised, prompting a police inquiry and questioning of numerous individuals. In response to the government’s handling of the situation, students across the country have organized protests under the slogan “Stop Serbia,” leading to school boycotts and disruptions to lessons.
