Students Protest in Sarajevo Over Government Inaction Following Deadly Floods

Hundreds of students gathered in protest on Monday, demanding government accountability for the deaths of 27 people during devastating floods in October 2024. The disaster, which caused severe damage to homes, roads, and bridges in central and southern parts of the country, highlighted inefficiencies in aid distribution and recovery efforts. In the village of Donja Jablanica alone, 19 people died when an illegal quarry collapsed, burying victims under heavy rocks. Authorities have yet to launch an investigation into the tragedy.

The demonstrators marched in front of the state parliament, carrying banners that read, “Where is the responsibility? Where is transparency?” Imran Pasalic, president of the Sarajevo University Students Parliament, stated that the protest aimed to hold accountable those responsible for the quarry collapse and the government’s slow response to reconstruction and aid distribution. The protesters criticized delays in utilizing donations from the European Union and other foreign contributors for relief efforts.

This demonstration in Bosnia follows similar protests in neighboring Serbia, where students rallied against the government following a railway disaster in November that claimed 15 lives. Both protests reflect growing dissatisfaction with governance in the post-conflict Balkans, where political fragmentation continues to hinder effective crisis response.

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