BELGRADE, Serbia — On Wednesday, university students in Serbia gathered outside the chief prosecutor’s office to demand accountability following the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy that resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals last month in the northern part of the country.

Over 1,000 students left symbolic letters on the prosecutor’s office doorstep, urging chief prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac to ensure justice is served, free from political manipulation and corruption.

In response, Dolovac’s office issued a statement inviting a delegation of students for a discussion.

For several weeks, Serbia’s universities have experienced blockades as part of a larger movement seeking answers regarding the disaster that took place on November 1 in Novi Sad, where a massive concrete structure outside the railway station collapsed onto people below.

The incident has sparked public outrage, with many attributing the collapse to prevalent corruption and inadequate construction practices during the renovation, particularly in connection with various controversial infrastructure projects involving Chinese state enterprises.

Thirteen individuals have been detained in connection with the Novi Sad disaster, including a government minister; however, their subsequent release has led to public doubts about the integrity of the investigations.

The students’ strike has garnered substantial support from diverse groups across Serbia, including professors, farmers, and artists. This past Sunday, tens of thousands participated in a student-led protest in Belgrade, which highlighted broader discontent with the administration of populist President Aleksandar Vucic.

On Wednesday, the protesting students displayed banners with red handprints, symbolizing the message that the authorities bear “blood on their hands.”

In efforts to alleviate the tensions surrounding the student protests, Vucic has been promoting what he claims are “favorable” loan options for young individuals looking to buy homes.

Despite officially aiming for European Union membership, the increasingly authoritarian actions of the Serbian leader have drawn criticism regarding his repression of democratic freedoms.