SKOPJE, North Macedonia — Authorities in North Macedonia mentioned Wednesday they’ve shuttered dozens of nightclubs and leisure venues following a fireplace that killed 59 individuals at a stay pop live performance.
Authorities spokesperson Marija Miteva mentioned that out of fifty institutions inspected in a number of cities, solely 22 had legitimate licenses.
“For all premises with expired licenses or no license in any respect, the state market inspectorate has ordered the suspension of actions till all needed paperwork are reviewed and validated,” Miteva mentioned.
The deadly fire that erupted within the jap city of Kocani on Sunday occurred whereas pyrotechnics had been getting used at an indoor venue later discovered to have a number of security and licensing violations.
Authorities mentioned Wednesday that 16 individuals stay in custody for questioning, following police interviews with greater than 70 people.
North Macedonia has declared per week of nationwide mourning after the catastrophe, which has profoundly shaken this small Balkan nation of two million individuals and triggered protests and large outdoor vigils.
Funeral providers for the largely younger concertgoers are scheduled for Thursday in Kocani, and authorities mentioned autopsies and formal identifications have been accomplished. Memorial providers will even be held elsewhere within the nation.
“Allow us to be calm, allow us to be light, allow us to be peaceable, affected person. Let our prayers and our ideas be directed in direction of our deceased, but in addition in direction of our injured for his or her well being and restoration,” mentioned Metropolitan Bishop Ilarion of Bregalnica, a area that features Kocani.
Among the many 150 injured, dozens of sufferers have been transferred to hospitals across Europe, primarily for burn therapy. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Greece are offering help in an EU-backed effort.
Stojance Angelov, who heads the nation’s disaster administration company, mentioned the nation’s Orthodox Church is main the funeral preparations.
He added in a web based put up: “No phrases can really seize the depth of this tragedy or categorical the overwhelming disappointment I really feel. Damaged by grief, I can’t discover something sturdy sufficient to convey my condolences to the households who misplaced their beloved little kids.”
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Gatopoulos reported from in Athens, Greece.
