Serbian protesters pressure government over railway disaster
3 Min Read
Tens of thousands gathered in Nis to honor victims of a railway disaster and join a student-led protest challenging President Vucic’s rule.
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People gather at a square during a student-led protest and an 18-hour blockade of the streets to protest the deaths of 15 people killed in the November 2024 collapse of a train station canopy, in the town of Nis, Serbia, on March 1, 2025. (AP)
Tens of thousands gathered in the southern Serbian town of Nis on Saturday to honor the victims of a railway station disaster and participate in a student-led protest, marking the largest challenge to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's rule.
The protests have gained momentum since 15 people were killed in November when a roof collapsed at Novi Sad's newly renovated train station.
Many Serbians blame corruption linked to Vucic's decade-long leadership for the tragedy, and teachers, farmers, and other workers have joined protests that began with student-led university class blockades in December.
Vucic's government has pledged to launch an anti-corruption campaign, denying the corruption allegations.
Mass protest in Niš, Serbia! 🔥
— Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) March 1, 2025
Young people are taking a stand—no more corruption, no more silence! Time for real change! pic.twitter.com/PyuIC18njI
At 11:52 am, the exact time of the collapse, thousands observed a moment of silence in Nis to remember the victims.
"This is the way to make a revolution," said Tarek, a 22-year-old graphic designer from the city of Novi Pazar, adding that "It is the right way to achieve the change, to create a better future, a functional state without corruption."
BREAKING: Serbs and Romanians organized major protests today!
— Mario ZNA (@MarioBojic) March 1, 2025
🇷🇸 In Serbia, students took to the streets—no EU flags, only Christ’s banners.
🇷🇴 In Romania, people are demanding freedom and justice for Călin Georgescu—once again, no EU flags in sight. pic.twitter.com/qaBBUgLlgK
Hundreds of students marched to Nis for the protest, joined by around 1,500 people on motorbikes.
The Russian-backed government of Serbia under pressure tonight as massive protests fill the center of Belgrade.
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) March 1, 2025
It seems that only the US hasn't gotten the note that Russian-backed fascism just isn't cool anymore. pic.twitter.com/XL5pzmthwr
Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and two other ministers have resigned amid the protests, which have spread from Belgrade to towns across the country.
Prosecutors have charged 13 individuals in connection with the roof collapse, but students have persisted with daily protests, demanding the release of documents related to the incident and justice for those responsible.
They also demanded charges against the protesting students to be dismissed, and an increased budget for higher education.
Serbian leader warns of foreign-backed ‘color revolution’
In January, Vucic accused the opposition of working with foreign intelligence services to destabilize the nation amid the student-led protests sparked by the catastrophic collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad train station last November.
"This is all an attempt at a color revolution," Vucic remarked in a live interview for Happy TV on Saturday.
He alleged that foreign agents encouraged students to disrupt important transit routes. The president said the actions are organized by "foreign instructors" working in the region and accused the opposition of being “a tool in the hands of criminal and foreign intelligence services. These young people are more or less being used by them."
Protests organized by students and opposition organizations began in November and have extended to places like Novi Sad and Belgrade.
