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Serbian protesters pressure government over railway disaster

Фото: AP

Фото: AP 03.03.2025 09:01 169

Tens of thousands of people flocked to the southern town of Nis on Saturday to commemorate victims of a railway station disaster and take part in a student-led protest that has become the biggest threat yet to the Serbian president's grip on power, El.kz cites Reuters.

Mass demonstrations have gathered momentum in the four months since 15 people were killed when a roof collapsed at a newly renovated train station in Novi Sad, Serbia's second-biggest city.

Many Serbians blame the collapse on corruption they link to President Aleksandar Vucic's decade in power, and teachers, farmers and other workers have joined the protests that began with a student blockade of classes at universities in December.

Vucic's government has said it will launch an anti-corruption campaign, and has denied allegations of corruption.

At 11:52 a.m., the time when the roof collapsed on November 1, thousands stood in silence in the central streets of Nis to commemorate the victims.

"This is the way to make a revolution," said Tarek, a 22-year-old graphic designer from the city of Novi Pazar. "It is the right way to achieve the change, to create a better future, a functional state without corruption."

Hundreds of students marched to Nis for the protest and were joined by about 1,500 people on motor bikes.