AssetID: 54610003
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: North Macedonia Nightclub Fire Sparks Mass Protests Over Corruption and Safety Failures
Caption: North Macedonia Nightclub Fire Sparks Mass Protests Over Corruption and Safety Failures. Thousands gathered in Kocani, North Macedonia, demanding justice after a fire at the Pulse nightclub killed 59 people, many of them teenagers. The blaze began during a packed concert by hip-hop band DNK when flares ignited the flammable ceiling of the converted carpet warehouse. The club, operating illegally with inadequate safety measures, had only one locked emergency exit, two fire extinguishers, and no fire alarm or sprinklers. More than 160 people were injured, with 45 in critical condition; many were flown abroad for specialist care. Authorities have detained about 20 people, including the club owner and several ex-government ministers, amid suspicions of bribery and corruption. Interior Minister Pance Toskovski confirmed the venue was over capacity, with 500 people inside despite only 250 tickets sold. Grieving families queued to provide DNA samples to identify victims, while mourners lit candles and wrote tributes in Kocani’s central square. Protests turned violent when teens vandalized a bar believed to be owned by the Pulse club’s proprietor. “Nobody should die like that,” a local teenager told the BBC, as chants of “we are asking for justice” echoed through the town. A civic group has called for nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday to demand accountability and systemic change. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,North Macedonia,Nightclub,Fire,Sparks,Mass,Protests,Corruption,Safety,Failures,Pulse,DNK,Hip Hop Band,Carpet,Warehouse,Police,Bar,Interior Minsiter,Pance Toskovski
PersonInImage: