Serbian Students, Farmers Block Belgrade Intersection in Protest Over Deadly Collapse

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Thousands of students, joined by farmers and citizens, launched a 24-hour blockade of a key traffic intersection in Belgrade on Monday, intensifying protests over the November collapse of a train station canopy that killed 15 people. The demonstration, which included tractors and symbolic red gloves representing blood, marked the latest escalation in a weeks-long campaign demanding accountability for what critics call government corruption.

The protest, one of the largest challenges to Serbia’s populist government in years, drew widespread support from citizens frustrated with the lack of transparency surrounding the tragedy. Students set up tents and held a daily 15-minute silence at 11:52 a.m., the exact time the canopy collapsed in Novi Sad on Nov. 1, 2024. Many believe the disaster was caused by shoddy construction linked to corruption.

President Aleksandar Vucic, speaking at a press conference with Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, called for dialogue with the protesters. “We need to lower the tensions and start talking to each other,” Vucic said. However, students have previously refused to meet with him, citing constitutional limitations on his authority to engage in such discussions.

Vucic also warned that the ongoing protests could harm Serbia’s economy. “Any kind of a crisis poses a serious problem for our economy,” he said. “Such a situation in society is not good for anyone.” The president has repeatedly accused the protesters of being influenced by foreign powers aiming to destabilize the government.

The protest site, a major artery for commuters and a route to the north-south motorway, was secured by traffic police to prevent incidents. Earlier demonstrations had turned violent, with two young women injured in clashes. On Monday, the atmosphere was more subdued, with students playing volleyball, resting on blankets, and marching peacefully.

The collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad train station has become a flashpoint for public anger. The station had undergone two renovations in recent years as part of a broader infrastructure deal with Chinese state companies. Authorities have charged 13 people, including a government minister, in connection with the incident, but critics question the independence of the investigation. Former construction minister Goran Vesic, initially detained, has since been released.

As the blockade continued, protesters vowed to maintain pressure on the government until their demands for accountability and reform are met. “We will not stop until justice is served,” said one student organizer, who asked not to be named. “This is about more than just the collapse—it’s about the future of our country.”