BELGRADE, Serbia — On Tuesday, opposition protesters in Serbia staged a blockade outside a courthouse, ignited by a tragic roof collapse that occurred earlier this month at a railway station in Novi Sad. This incident resulted in the loss of 15 lives and left two others injured, intensifying ongoing tensions in the region.

The blockade was initiated by a group of opposition parliament members who are demanding accountability for those responsible, as well as the release of activists who have been detained during prior protests surrounding the incident. As the protesters gathered, riot police intervened, leading to a tense standoff that lasted several hours, with sporadic clashes reported.

The Serbian Justice Ministry reacted strongly, labeling the protest as a “most brutal form of pressure on the operations of prosecutors and judges,” describing the situation as an “unprecedented obstruction of justice.” Opposition lawmaker Borislav Novakovic voiced the sentiment of many protesters, asserting that “those who are guilty must go to prison and those who were jailed for seeking justice must be released.”

Protesters planned to maintain their blockade until the conclusion of business hours on Tuesday. The tragic collapse at the Novi Sad railway station occurred on November 1, when a large section of the roof suddenly caved in on unsuspecting individuals who were either seated or standing beneath it. The initial death toll was reported as 14, with three others suffering severe injuries; however, the death toll rose to 15 when another victim succumbed to their injuries.

This catastrophic event has sparked widespread demonstrations against the ruling populist government, resulting in the arrest of several involved activists. Many citizens believe that widespread corruption led to inadequate renovation practices at the station, ultimately contributing to the roof’s failure.

In response to public outrage, officials have promised a comprehensive investigation into the incident, which prompted the resignation of Serbia’s construction minister, Goran Vesic. Despite the promises for accountability, no arrests have been made, and no formal charges have been brought against anyone so far.

The Novi Sad railway station, an architectural structure that was originally opened in 1964, had undergone renovations twice in recent years, executed as part of a broader agreement with construction companies from China.