Protests in Bosnia’s capital entered a fourth day on February 16 as demonstrators demanded accountability after a tram derailment killed a 23-year-old man and seriously injured several others, including a teenage girl who lost a leg.
The protests were triggered by the February 12 crash, when a tram derailed at speed near a stop, killing Erdoan Morankic and injuring four other passengers.
High school and university students again gathered in central Sarajevo, chanting “Justice, justice”, as they called for the release of maintenance records, video footage from the tram and the withdrawal of unsafe vehicles from service, according to local media reports.
The demonstrations have already led to political fallout. Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Nihad Uk resigned on Sunday, causing the cantonal government to collapse, while Senad Mujagic, director of the city’s public transport company GRAS, stepped down on February 16.
Uk said his decision reflected the pressure from young protesters, who organised the rallies through Instagram pages.
“When I took over the position of prime minister of Sarajevo Canton, in my address, I primarily spoke about young people. How to be their support, how to turn towards their future and not our past. Young people have taken to the streets,” Uk said in his statement, published by N1.
He added: “The message of my fellow citizens, the message of young people, is important to me. Certainly more important than my position. And when I choose between the voice and courage of young people on one side and my position on the other, the choice is clear.”
Organisers said the protests were aimed at showing unity and solidarity with the victims and forcing authorities to accept responsibility.
They have outlined four key demands: full transparency of the investigation, including maintenance documentation and onboard video; the immediate withdrawal of unsafe trams; the resignation of officials responsible for transport oversight; and long-term reforms to create a safe and reliable public transport system.
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