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In the southern city of Nis, Serbia, thousands of people observed a 15-minute silence to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in a railway station disaster in November. This student-led protest, which has become the most significant challenge to the nation’s president’s authority, is gaining momentum following a tragic accident at a renovated train station in Novi Sad that claimed 15 lives. On Saturday, hundreds of students marched, cycled, or rode bikes to Nis, rallying support from people outside urban centers. Residents had set up informal food stalls along the streets, providing refreshments to the crowds as they waved flags, carried anti-corruption banners, and blew whistles and vuvuzelas. At 11:52 local time, the moment of the tragedy, everyone stood in silence to honor the victims before music filled the city with chants of “Serbia has risen” and “Pump it,” symbolizing the students’ determination to continue protesting. Tarek, a 22-year-old graphics designer, emphasized that revolution is the way to achieve change and create a better, corruption-free Serbia. Many Serbians attribute the accident to corruption associated with President Aleksandar Vucic’s decade-long rule, with teachers, farmers, and other workers joining the protests that started in December with a student blockade of classes at state universities. In response to the protests, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and two other ministers have resigned, and prosecutors have charged 13 individuals in connection with the roof collapse. Despite demands for justice and change, President Vucic and government officials have accused demonstrators of being backed by foreign powers and have attempted to meet some of the students’ demands. The government has released renovation documents, pardoned arrested protesters, increased funding for higher education, and initiated legal proceedings against those accused of attacking demonstrators. However, the student protesters plan to continue their daily demonstrations and push for the dismissal of charges against them and a greater budget allocation for higher education.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/1/thousands-protest-in-serbia-to-honour-railway-station-disaster-victims?traffic_source=rss