Thousands gathered in central Belgrade to protest against the Serbian government on March 15. The demonstration was peaceful until a sudden, frightening noise interrupted it. Witnesses said it sounded like “some powerful machine hurtling up from behind.”
Panic in the Crowd
Tamara Bojanovski, a protester, saw the crowd scatter in panic. People rushed to the sidewalks. Stefan, a student, felt a “rumble,” followed by a “whoosh.” It seemed like an invisible force was speeding toward them. Another student, Dragica, described it as “a wave travelling through us.”
“People felt faint, and some fell over,” said Bozo Prelevic, a lawyer and former interior minister.
Speculation and Public Outrage
The noise lasted only seconds, but it caused a storm of speculation. Consequently, social media exploded with discussions. News outlets and talk shows focused on the mystery. Many believed authorities had used a banned sonic weapon to disperse the crowd.
Sonic Weapons and Government Denials
Sonic weapons are illegal in Serbia. These devices release powerful sound waves that can cause nausea, headaches, and ear damage.
At first, Serbian officials denied having such equipment. However, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic later admitted that police bought Long-Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) from the United States in 2021. These devices help with crowd control in countries like the US, Australia, Greece, and Japan.
Authorities Under Pressure
Despite this, Serbian police, intelligence agency (BIA), and military insisted they had not used LRADs at the protest. Meanwhile, President Aleksandar Vucic faced growing pressure as unrest continued. He called for outside help. As a result, he announced that Russia’s FSB intelligence agency sent investigators. He also expected FBI experts from the US. However, the US Department of Justice has not commented.
Investigations and Theories
The Omega Foundation, a human rights group, reviewed photos, witness reports, and video footage. Their findings were unclear. Researcher Neil Corney said, “We really haven’t seen an effect like this. It was so distinctive.”
Earshot, a non-profit specializing in audio investigations, suggested another theory. The noise might have come from a vortex ring gun. This experimental, non-lethal device shoots high-energy air vortices to disperse crowds. Nevertheless, more research is needed.
Genasys, the US company that makes LRADs, denied their device was involved. They said audio and video evidence “does not support the use of an LRAD.”
https://twitter.com/earshot_ngo/status/1901661518153781534
A Nation Already in Crisis
The strange event happened during massive public outrage. In Novi Sad, a train station roof collapsed, killing 15 people. Corruption and poor construction were blamed. As a result, the disaster triggered huge protests. It forced Prime Minister Milos Vucevic to resign and weakened President Vucic’s position.
The Unsolved Mystery
Geolocation data showed the sonic wave traveled along Kralja Milana Street in Belgrade. It covered more than 500 meters. Zoran Radovanovic, an epidemiologist at the protest, described the scene: “The street emptied … like when Moses parted the Red Sea.”
As Russian and American investigators search for answers, the mystery remains unsolved. Ultimately, the strange sound still echoes through Serbia’s tense political climate.
