North Macedonia nightclub fire kills 59, sparks protests

A devastating nightclub fire in Kocani, North Macedonia, during a hip-hop concert claimed 59 lives and injured over 150, leading to widespread mourning and protests against corruption. The venue, Club Pulse, was allegedly operating with an illegally obtained license, lacking essential fire safety measures. As the community grieves, anger boiled over with protesters demanding accountability from officials, citing inadequate emergency exits and fire prevention protocols as contributing factors to the tragedy. Investigations are underway, with around 20 arrests made, including government officials and the nightclub's manager. North Macedonia's President expressed a commitment to justice, while the Prime Minister vowed systemic changes to prevent future disasters. The incident has spotlighted long-standing issues of corruption that have hindered safety regulations in the country.