Serbia Witnesses Unprecedented Protests Following Novi Sad Railway Station Collapse
Hundreds of thousands rally against the government amid allegations of corruption and negligence.
On March 15, 2025, Serbia's capital, Belgrade, became the epicenter of one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in the nation's history.
An estimated 325,000 individuals gathered to protest against the administration of President Aleksandar Vučić, expressing outrage over alleged corruption and negligence following the fatal collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy.
The tragedy occurred on November 1, 2024, when the concrete canopy of the main railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, resulting in 15 fatalities and injuring two others.
The station, originally constructed in 1964, had undergone renovations from 2021 to mid-2024. The official cause of the collapse remains under investigation, but the incident has been attributed to potential structural failures.
In response to the disaster, mass protests erupted in Novi Sad and quickly spread throughout Serbia.
The demonstrators, initially led by students, have been joined by various societal groups, including farmers, lawyers, and taxi drivers, all demanding accountability and transparency from the government.
The protesters accuse the administration of corruption and cost-cutting measures that they believe contributed to the collapse.
The "15th for 15" protest on March 15 was organized to honor the 15 victims of the Novi Sad tragedy.
Participants convened at multiple locations across Belgrade, including Republic Square, which was filled to capacity.
The Public Meeting Archive reported attendance figures between 275,000 and 325,000, marking it as Serbia's largest protest to date.
The government's response has included several high-profile resignations.
Construction Minister Goran Vesić resigned shortly after the incident, and on January 28, 2025, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević also stepped down amid mounting public pressure.
Despite these departures, President Vučić has remained steadfast, stating he will not yield to what he describes as "blackmail" from the streets.
Tensions escalated further following allegations that security forces employed a prohibited sonic weapon against peaceful demonstrators during a rally in Belgrade.
Rights groups and opposition leaders claim that a device emitting targeted beams to incapacitate individuals was used, causing symptoms such as ear pain, headaches, and nausea among attendees.
President Vučić has denied these allegations and suggested involving international agencies to investigate the claims.
The protests have continued to gain momentum, with demonstrators blocking access to state broadcasters and organizing silent marches to honor the victims of the Novi Sad collapse.
The movement has evolved into a broader call for systemic change, reflecting deep-seated frustrations over governance, accountability, and the rule of law in Serbia.
An estimated 325,000 individuals gathered to protest against the administration of President Aleksandar Vučić, expressing outrage over alleged corruption and negligence following the fatal collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy.
The tragedy occurred on November 1, 2024, when the concrete canopy of the main railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, resulting in 15 fatalities and injuring two others.
The station, originally constructed in 1964, had undergone renovations from 2021 to mid-2024. The official cause of the collapse remains under investigation, but the incident has been attributed to potential structural failures.
In response to the disaster, mass protests erupted in Novi Sad and quickly spread throughout Serbia.
The demonstrators, initially led by students, have been joined by various societal groups, including farmers, lawyers, and taxi drivers, all demanding accountability and transparency from the government.
The protesters accuse the administration of corruption and cost-cutting measures that they believe contributed to the collapse.
The "15th for 15" protest on March 15 was organized to honor the 15 victims of the Novi Sad tragedy.
Participants convened at multiple locations across Belgrade, including Republic Square, which was filled to capacity.
The Public Meeting Archive reported attendance figures between 275,000 and 325,000, marking it as Serbia's largest protest to date.
The government's response has included several high-profile resignations.
Construction Minister Goran Vesić resigned shortly after the incident, and on January 28, 2025, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević also stepped down amid mounting public pressure.
Despite these departures, President Vučić has remained steadfast, stating he will not yield to what he describes as "blackmail" from the streets.
Tensions escalated further following allegations that security forces employed a prohibited sonic weapon against peaceful demonstrators during a rally in Belgrade.
Rights groups and opposition leaders claim that a device emitting targeted beams to incapacitate individuals was used, causing symptoms such as ear pain, headaches, and nausea among attendees.
President Vučić has denied these allegations and suggested involving international agencies to investigate the claims.
The protests have continued to gain momentum, with demonstrators blocking access to state broadcasters and organizing silent marches to honor the victims of the Novi Sad collapse.
The movement has evolved into a broader call for systemic change, reflecting deep-seated frustrations over governance, accountability, and the rule of law in Serbia.
