Multiple North Macedonia venues ordered to close after deadly nightclub fire · News ⟋ RA

North Macedonian government officials have ordered multiple unlicensed venues in the country to close after a catastrophic nightclub fire killed 59 people on Sunday.

Government spokesperson Marija Miteva told the Associated Press that out of 50 establishments inspected in several cities, only 22 had valid licenses. “For all premises with expired licenses or no license at all,” she added, “the state market inspectorate has ordered the suspension of activities until all necessary documents are reviewed and validated.”

The fire at Pulse broke out around 2:30 AM local time on March 16th, when sparks from onstage pyrotechnics set the building’s “highly flammable” roof on fire during a performance by hip-hop group DNK. An estimated 155 people were injured, with investigators attributing many deaths and fatalities to a crowd crush as concertgoers tried to flee.

Reports indicate that during the event, Pulse’s occupancy had been nearly double its 250-person capacity. State prosecutor and lead investigator on the case Ljupco Kocevski found that the venue, a former warehouse, had only one “improvised” exit door, which was locked and had no indoor handle. He added: “There was no access for fire engines from either side in accordance with the fire safety regulations. The interior of the building was lined with plasterboard, but it was not fireproof.”

Police confirmed on Wednesday that 16 people are in custody for questioning regarding the fire, following interviews with more than 70 individuals. In the wake of the tragedy, protests and vigils have taken place across the country, which itself has declared a seven-day national mourning period. Funerals for the deceased—many of them under the age of 18—will take place on March 20th, and be overseen by the country’s Orthodox Church.

“There is no person in Macedonia who is not broken and with a destroyed spirit after this,” Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski shared on Sunday.

We’ll continue reporting on this story as it unfolds.

Photo: Boris Grdanoski/AP