Following a devastating fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia that left 59 people dead, grief has turned into anger as thousands took to the streets in protest. The tragedy at the Pulse venue in Kočani has shaken the close-knit nation, with many demanding justice for the lives lost and calling for an end to corrupt practices.
Youths at the protest in Kočani vandalized the café believed to be owned by the nightclub’s owner, expressing their frustration at the lack of accountability. The majority of the victims were teenagers or young adults who had attended the venue to see a popular hip-hop duo, DNK.
The investigation revealed that the nightclub had been operating illegally with numerous safety violations, including a flammable ceiling, no fire alarm system, and a locked exit door. Former officials, including a former mayor and a former economy minister, have been detained in connection to the disaster.
In response to the tragedy, the government has declared a seven-day period of national mourning and memorial rallies have been held. Students have organized silent protests at Skopje University, vowing to continue demonstrating to pressure the government to address the corruption that led to the loss of so many young lives.
As the country mourns its devastating loss, there is a renewed call for accountability and change to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. The outcry has sparked a wave of public demonstrations urging the government to take action against corruption in order to protect the safety and well-being of its citizens.
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