Death Toll In Romania Night Club Up To 32, Sparks 20,000 Rallying People
With the death toll from Friday Night's fire at the Colectiv Nightclub in Bucharest, Romania rising to 32, some 20,000 people rallied on the streets of the capital asking for justice and urging their leaders to resign from their positions.
Apparently, the people are calling out for the resignation of Prime Minister Victor Ponta, Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea as well as the mayor of the district, where the nightclub is located. The government has been under criticisms for alleged corruption, and Friday night's incident fueled more fire to the citizen's anger, the Associated Press reports.
Meanwhile, after a few hours of closed-door hearings, according to Loudwire, prosecutors have finally issued a 24-hour arrest warrant on Colectiv nightclub owners Costin Mincu, Alin George Anastasecu and Paul Gancea for suspicion of manslaughter.
"Data and evidence ... have shown the fire occurred because the people managing the respective space encouraged and allowed a number of people above the club's limit in a space that was not endowed with more emergency exits," prosecutors said in a statement as quoted by Loudwire.
Apparently, there was only a single exit for the 400 attendees during Friday night's concert at Colectiv, per Today Online. The publication further reports that the fireworks at the concert set the non-fireproof insulation foam on fire, which then triggered the stampede that killed 32 people and injured hundreds, some of which are currently in critical condition.
Loudwire notes that there are reportedly 130 individuals, who are still in the hospital with injuries, 90 of those are said to be in critical condition.
Recently, Costin Mincu released a statement through his lawyer, saying as quoted by Today Online, "All I can do is keep my head bowed before judgement. I regret what happened enormously."
Meanwhile, as the 20,000 people urgie for the government to act, President Klaus Iohannis is one with the people, releasing a statement on Tuesday. Quoted by the Associated Press, the statement reads: "I understand what is being asked and what is expected, and they are right, someone has to take political responsibility. The next step is for politicians, who cannot ignore this sentiment of revolt."
The nightclub is now closed and people outside started laying blankets, lighting several candles and putting flowers in remembrance of the tragic event that took place last Friday. Loudwire further said that the country's president awarded the National Merit Order honors to Adrian Rugina and Claudiu Petre, as the two died while attempting to save others at the club.
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