BELGRADE, Jan 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Thousands of students prepared to spend the night on the streets of the Serbian capital Belgrade on Monday, as they blocked a major intersection in the latest mass protest over a fatal collapse of a train station roof in November.

There have been almost daily roadblocks and protests throughout the country since 15 people died in the northern city of Novi Sad on November 1 at a train station that had recently been renovated.

With pressure on the government mounting, President Aleksandar Vucic addressed the nation Monday evening, defending his government's response to the Novi Sad tragedy and vowing to open a dialogue with the protesters.

The blockade in Belgrade -- which was set to last for 24 hours -- came after student organisers called for a general strike last Friday that saw lawyers stop work and the closure of small businesses and schools across Serbia.

Many in Serbia have blamed corruption and poor construction oversight for the roof's collapse.

More than a dozen people have been charged in connection with the accident, including former transport minister Goran Vesic, who resigned days after it occurred.

Student organisers continue to demand more action, including greater transparency into the investigation and the release of all documents linked to the renovation of the train station.

Other key demands include dropping charges against protesters arrested at rallies, an end to attacks on demonstrators, and an increase in government funding for the education sector.

During his national address, Vucic doubled down on his government's efforts to defuse the crisis, saying thousands of documents had been released to the public.

"There is nothing left related to the tragedy at the train station. Everything we had, we provided," Vucic said.

Experts from the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Belgrade have said the cache of documents provided by officials is incomplete.

During his address, Vucic appeared to strike a more conciliatory tone, despite repeated earlier claims that the demonstrators were being backed by foreign powers.

Vucic's remarks appeared to have little impact on the demonstrators camped out on the streets of the Autokomanda junction, which links several major roads and motorways in the capital.

"I think that this attempt to calm passions and make something happen, I don't think it will succeed, because the most important thing is to change this entire government," Vladimir Markovic, 48, told AFP.

Earlier on Monday, thousands of mostly student demonstrators at the blockade waved flags and held signs calling for more transparency and an end to corruption.

"This 24-hour blockade is proof of our perseverance and seriousness as students, and we will not stop until these demands are met," said Uros Velimirovic, a 22-year-old student of electrical engineering.