Multiple accounts and analyses question the cause of a crowd stampede at a Belgrade protest, citing unexplained noises and rapid crowd dispersal.
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Witnesses at the March 15 vigil in Belgrade reported hearing unexplained, unnatural noises, which others likened to jets or natural disasters. Over 2,800 testimonies collected by Serbian NGOs identified the sound as a vehicle, plane, or rocket. Some witnesses described feeling a physical current or shaking force. Media reported claims of a “sound cannon” or “sonic weapon,” which authorities denied using.
Despite ongoing investigations by the Serbian prosecutor’s office and a case before the European Court for Human Rights, the exact cause of the incident remains unclear. Experts noted the lack of definitive information and the government’s passive investigation approach.
Independent investigations, including a report from Earshot, suggest it is highly likely that a highly directional acoustic weapon was used, as this explains the consistent accounts of the sound despite it not being captured on video. The speed and pattern of the crowd’s dispersal were also noted as unusual.
The Serbian government initially denied using such devices, but later acknowledged purchasing Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), claiming they were only for broadcasting messages. However, officials also admitted these devices have a noise-generation mode.
The European Court of Human Rights previously issued an interim measure preventing the use of sound devices for crowd control in Serbia. The text concludes by noting that while official investigations have been conducted, skepticism remains high regarding the government’s full transparency and accountability for the event.
