Thousands are demanding justice for 59 people killed in a nightclub fire in North Macedonia, as authorities prepare graves for its victims.
More than 150 were also injured after pyrotechnics sparked a fire at Club Pulse in Kocani, with government officials and the nightclub’s manager among 20 people arrested.
But some protests turned violent in the eastern town and in the capital Skopje, where thousands have called for more action amid a litany of alleged safety failures.
As excavators dug a fresh line of graves in the town of 25,000 people, 16-year-old Jovan, who lost a friend in the fire, described his country as “corrupt”.
“I want everyone who helped this place carry on with its business to be jailed,” he said, speaking from a quiet protest in Kocani’s central square.
Some held placards reading “we are not dying from accidents; we are dying from corruption” and “everything is legal here if you have connections”.
A van was overturned there, while others threw rocks at a local government building.
Protesters overturned a van in Kocani. Pic: AP
Investigations have so far revealed that the club was operating at double its 250-person capacity, without proper licensing.
Many were trampled as they rushed toward a single exit.
There were numerous safety violations, according to officials, including:
• no emergency exits;
• insufficient fire equipment;
• the use of flammable cladding and no sprinkler system.
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What we know so far about North Macedonia fire
The EU has previously identified corruption as an obstacle to the country’s accession to the bloc.
Authorities are also investigating allegations club owners bribed officials to bypass safety regulations.
Nationwide inspections of all nightclubs and entertainment venues have been ordered by the government.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the club’s licence was issued illegally by the economy ministry, vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
