Violent clashes erupted in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, as rival groups held dueling rallies to mark the anniversary of a deadly railway‑station collapse. The tragedy, which occurred on 1 November 2024 in Novi Sad, claimed 16 lives and sparked nationwide protests demanding accountability and denouncing government corruption and mismanagement.
On Sunday, a crowd gathered outside the Serbian parliament building, led by Dijana Hrka, who lost her son in the collapse. At the same time, government supporters and students opposing the protesters’ tactics of blockading universities rallied in Pionirski Park. Although police tried to keep the groups apart, sporadic clashes broke out, with bottles and firecrackers being thrown. Police reported one arrest.
The Serbian Interior Ministry blamed the violence on “an organized group” within the anti‑government protesters, noting that a tent in Pionirski Park had been set on fire. In contrast, supporters of the student‑blockade movement claimed that pro‑government activists initiated the violence by throwing projectiles.
President Aleksandar Vučić, who has previously suggested that the protests were incited from abroad, denied that his supporters were responsible for the clashes. In an interview with Informer TV, Vučić said, “The blockaders can’t tolerate democracy or differing opinions,” and added that several offices of his ruling SNS party have been set on fire since 2024.
University students have played a significant role in the ongoing protests, pressing for accountability for the railway‑station collapse. The government’s alleged corruption and mismanagement have fueled widespread outrage, and the anniversary has renewed attention to Serbia’s systemic problems. The international community is watching closely, concerned about the state of democracy and human rights in the region, as the situation continues to unfold and the potential for further violence remains.
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