University students organized protests in several cities across Serbia on Friday, alongside citizens and high school students, holding a commemorative event in honor of the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy.
On November 1, a concrete ceiling collapsed at the recently renovated Novi Sad train station, killing dozens of people and severely injuring two others.
Serbian university students placed piles of old schoolbooks in front of the Ministry of Education building as part of their daily protests demanding accountability for this tragic event, reports Euronews.com.
Traffic blockages were also held in various parts of Serbia at exactly 11:52 AM—the precise moment the concrete structure at the train station fell on the people below.
The traffic blockages have been taking place every Friday since the November 1 incident, lasting for 15 minutes to honor the 15 victims.
Many in Serbia blame the collapse on widespread corruption and the careless construction work on the Novi Sad train station, which was renovated twice in recent years as part of questionable projects with Chinese state-owned companies. Ongoing protests in Serbia reflect widespread anger over the tragedy, but also broader dissatisfaction with President Aleksandar Vučić and his government.
Prosecutors have arrested 13 people in connection with the tragedy, including a government minister, whose release later sparked public skepticism about the integrity of the investigation.
University student strikers have gained support from various sectors of society, challenging the tight control of Vučić’s government.
The symbol of the movement—a red handprint, indicating that the authorities have blood on their hands—has been adopted by actors, farmers, and others who support the protests.
