Thousands seek justice for 59 people killed in fire to a nightclub at Northern Macedoniaas authorities are preparing graves for her victims.
More than 150 people were also injured when firefighters caused a fire at the Club Pulse in Kotsani, Northern Macedonia, with government officials and the director of the nightclub among 20 people arrested.
Demonstrations took place in both Kotsani and the capital of Skopje, where the blood was lit up with protesters becoming violent and creating episodes.
In fact, the protesters in Kotsani overturned a truck and threw stones at a municipal building.
Protesters gathered in Kotsani holding 59 black balloons, symbolically for the number of victims who tragically lost their lives and let them fly in the sky.
As those responsible dug a new series of tombs in the city of 25,000 inhabitants, 16 -year -old Jovan, who lost a friend in the fire, described his country as “corrupt”.
“I want everyone who helped this place to continue its activities to be imprisoned,” he said, speaking from a quiet protest in the central square of Kotsani.
Some were holding placards that read “we do not die of accidents, we die of corruption” and “everything is legally here if you have links”.
Thousands of people rushed to the streets demanding justification, calling the tragedy, a crime. Indeed, many citizens have expressed concern to the government of Northern Macedonia about how well their security is ensured.
The tragedy in Kotsani has plunged the city and the whole country into mourning. Authorities are considering all the data on exactly what happened and investigating “a series of mistakes”, as officials say.
There have been many security violations, according to officials, such as:
- There are no risk exits.
- Insufficient firefighter equipment.
- Use of flammable lining and without sprinkle system.