SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Authorities in North Macedonia said Wednesday they have shuttered dozens of nightclubs and entertainment venues following a deadly fire that killed 59 people at a live pop concert. The move comes as the country mourns the loss of life in the devastating blaze that ripped through a nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The fire, which occurred at a popular nightclub in the capital city of Skopje, was one of the deadliest nightclub fires in recent history. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying, with people rushing to escape the inferno as flames engulfed the building.
According to officials, the fire was caused by a spark from a pyrotechnic device that ignited flammable materials inside the club. The club, which was hosting a live pop concert at the time of the fire, was found to have been operating without the necessary safety permits and licenses.
Investigators have launched a probe into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Preliminary findings suggest that the club had been operating in violation of safety regulations, including overcrowding and inadequate emergency exits.
The government of North Macedonia has announced an investigation into the incident and has vowed to take action against any venues found to be operating in violation of safety regulations. The crackdown on nightclubs and entertainment venues is part of a broader effort to improve safety standards and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The country is in a state of mourning, with flags flying at half-mast and memorials held for the victims of the fire. The government has also announced plans to provide support and compensation to the families of the victims.
The incident has raised concerns about safety standards in nightclubs and entertainment venues across the country. Many have called for tougher regulations and stricter enforcement to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
As the investigation into the fire continues, the people of North Macedonia are coming to terms with the scale of the tragedy. The shutdown of nightclubs and entertainment venues is a necessary step towards ensuring that such a disaster never happens again.