Parents and relatives of those who died in the fire at a disco in Kocani, North Macedonia, protested today in the city under the slogan “Delayed reaction“, local media reported.
The parents are demanding justice for the deceased children, stating that if the institutions had done their job in a timely manner, this tragedy would not have happened, notes the information site “360 degrees”, quoted by BTA.
The fire at the “Pulse“ disco in Kocani broke out early in the morning of March 16, when pyrotechnics during a concert by the popular band DNA set fire to the non-fireproof ceiling of the room. Fifty-nine people died on the spot, three later in hospital. The total number of injured was about two hundred. Officials said the discotheque's license was obtained illegally. The facility had only one emergency exit, which was locked during the concert. There were only two fire extinguishers and no fire alarm or water sprinkler system in case of fire.
Today's third protest in Kochani, organized by the parents of those who died in the fire, ended in front of the local prosecutor's office.
The front row was led by parents who carried photos of the children who died in the fire, the news website “360 degrees” reports.
The protesters carried a banner with the inscription “Pulse from 2012 to 2025, the investigation from 2025 to 2038, the trial from 2038 to ???“
The parents said that their children were killed by the greed of individuals and that there must be justice.
The prosecutor's office suspects a large number of people who held various positions in various institutions since 2012. until the day of the fire - March 16, 2025. So far, the investigation has covered 59 people and three companies.