Serbia protests: 100 days after Novi Sad tragedy
Fresh protests erupt in Serbia 100 days after the Novi Sad train station collapse, claiming 15 lives and igniting a protest movement.
Students blocked traffic in multiple cities nationwide, including Belgrade. Protesters demand the release of all documents concerning the station's reconstruction, the prosecution of officials responsible for the disaster, and the liberation of detained protesters.
Hundreds of students blocked Belgrade's crucial Gazela Bridge, along with intersections at three key entrances to Novi Sad, and scattered roses into the Danube in remembrance of the victims. They sustained the blockades for several hours. Their counterparts in Niš also blockaded a major thoroughfare for seven hours.
"We demand sanctions for all those responsible for the Novi Sad station roof collapse and the publication of all documents concerning its reconstruction."
"We, the majority of Serbian citizens, want to emphasize that we expect our demands to be met in full. We insist that all measures be implemented properly through state institutions, not according to some media outlets claiming our demands have already been satisfied."
"I'm here to support the students in this untenable situation, which has become unbearable and plagued us all for years, primarily due to corruption and nepotism."
Students at numerous Serbian state universities have boycotted classes and held ongoing protests in recent weeks following the Novi Sad station's concrete canopy collapse, which resulted in 15 fatalities. Following the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic amidst anti-government protests, President Aleksandar Vucic acknowledged the possibility of early elections in April.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
