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’s leaders are vowing to hold those responsible to account after a nightclub fire in the eastern town of Kocani left 59 people dead and 155 injured

By Fatos Bytyci, Aleksandar Vasovic (Reuters) -Thousands of people gathered in North Macedonia on Monday to call for justice for 59 people killed in a nightclub blaze on Sunday and demand an end to the corruption that they say was behind the country's worst disaster in years.

At least 59 people died and more than 150 were injured in the inferno. The authorities said the venue’s hospitality permit had been issued illegally.

Officials in North Macedonia are investigating a fire that tore through a nightclub killing 59 people and injuring more than 150, with many crushed in the rush to escape flames suspected to have been sparked by on-stage pyrotechnics.

Fire ripped through a packed and unlicensed nightclub early on Sunday in the North Macedonian town of Kocani, killing 59 people and injuring more than 150, officials said, after sparks ignited the roof as a live band performed.