Protests after deadly fire at North Macedonia nightclub

With flags still flying at half mast in North Macedonia, grief over a fire that tore through a nightclub killing dozens of people turned to anger as thousands protested in the streets.

- Helena Smith

In Kočani, the town where the fire tore through the Pulse nightclub early on Sunday, demonstrators demanded justice for the 59 people who lost their lives and called for an end to the corrupt practices blamed for the tragedy.

"I want everyone who helped this place carry on with its business to be jailed," said 16-year-old Jovan, referring to the nightclub as he joined other protesters in Kočani's central square. "We need change because this is a corrupt country."

Minutes later the rally descended into violence as rock-throwing youths ransacked a cafe believed to belong to the owner of the discotheque.

More than 150 people were injured and more than 50 have been transferred to specialist hospitals in Greece, Turkey, Serbia and Bulgaria, after the disaster in the tiny and close-knit Balkan nation.