Deadly nightclub fire trial opens

A TRIAL over one of Europe's deadliest nightclub fires was due to open in North Macedonia yesterday, with dozens of accused expected to face court for a blaze that killed 63 earlier this year.

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The fire at a hip-hop concert in the eastern town of Kocani on March 16 triggered a stampede in the overcrowded Pulse nightclub, leaving dozens dead and injuring over 200.

Almost eight months on, families of the victims continue to organise weekly marches demanding justice and a swift trial many are expected to attend the case in one of the country’s largest courtrooms.

At the latest protest at the weekend, a few thousand people marched from Skopje’s city centre to outside a central court to renew their calls for justice.