Anti-government protesters in Serbia gathered in Belgrade on Monday to demand justice following the tragic collapse of a concrete roof at a railway station in Novi Sad that claimed the lives of 14 individuals earlier this month. The demonstrators called for the arrest and resignation of top officials, attributing the incident to alleged corruption and substandard renovation work on the station building.
The protesters accused the ruling populists of prioritizing personal gain over public safety, with one former mayor of Novi Sad condemning the government for its role in the tragedy. Despite ongoing investigations and the resignation of Serbia's construction minister, no individuals have been charged or detained in connection with the accident.
The rally, which remained peaceful, marked a stark contrast to a previous demonstration in Novi Sad where violence erupted, prompting police intervention. The government has pledged to ensure accountability, but skepticism looms large due to concerns over the ruling party's influence on law enforcement and the judiciary.
The railway station, which had undergone multiple renovations in recent years, was inaugurated as a key stopover for a planned fast train line between Belgrade and Budapest by Serbia's President and his Hungarian counterpart. The incident has reignited public scrutiny over infrastructure projects involving foreign state companies in the Balkan nation.
