Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Skopje, North Macedonia, on Saturday, demanding accountability for the victims of the nation’s deadliest nightclub fire. The tragic incident, which occurred on March 16, claimed 63 lives and left over 200 injured after a pyrotechnic display ignited the roof of the crowded Pulse club in Kocani. The fire triggered a stampede, with most victims being young revelers. As the trial of the club owner and 33 others approaches, families of the victims, dressed in black, marched to the Criminal Court, holding banners adorned with photos of their loved ones. Parents accused corruption and greed of playing a role in the tragedy, citing the venue’s numerous safety violations and improper licensing. In a heartfelt video message, they vowed to fight against the systemic corruption they believe led to their children’s deaths. The defendants, including security guards, former mayors, and government officials, face charges of serious crimes against public security, with potential prison sentences of up to 10 years. North Macedonia, ranked 88th on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, has long struggled with corruption, with bribes to bypass safety regulations being commonplace. The European Union has repeatedly flagged corruption as a significant barrier to the country’s EU accession, a process it has been pursuing since 2005.
Thousands protest ahead of trial over deadliest fire in North Macedonia’s history
