Koçan nightclub fire sparks 47th “March for Angels” protest

A fire at the Puls nightclub in Koçan killed 63 people and injured 218. On the day of the 47th “March for Angels,” parents of the victims and city residents gathered to demand accountability for the permits and failures they say enabled the tragedy.

The march began at the Revolution Park and proceeded to the municipal building, the State Market Inspectorate, the State Labour Inspectorate, the Public Revenues Directorate, the local police and the court. Protesters questioned how the venue operated for 13 years without inspection and asked why authorities did not protect citizens.

Aleksandar Naunov, speaking before the basic court, said, “We do not ask for decisions under pressure; we ask for a decision based solely on facts, evidence, law and the conscience of the judges.” He added that the ruling will not bring back the children but can show that no one is above the law and that human life is the highest value.