Municipal workers in Kocani dug graves on Tuesday for the dozens of young people killed in a nightclub fire as protests were held in cities across North Macedonia. Authorities said the nightclub blaze in the eastern town early on Sunday was caused by indoor use of pyrotechnics and numerous safety violations at the venue,

By Fatos Bytyci and Aleksandar Vasovic The packed nightclub in North Macedonia where 59 people were killed in a blaze at the weekend had just one emergency exit, which was locked, lacked fire extinguishers and sprinklers and contained flammable materials,

North Macedonia has declared a seven-day national mourning period following a devastating nightclub fire in the eastern city of Kocani that claimed at least 59 lives. The government ordered flags at public institutions and spaces to be flown at half-mast in remembrance of the victims.