Wednesday, 4 November 2015

Romania PM Ponta resigns over Bucharest nightclub fire

BBC News
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has resigned, a day after some 20,000 people took to the streets to protest over a nightclub fire that left 32 people dead.
Friday night's blaze in Bucharest started when a band performing at the club set off fireworks.
Demonstrators called for Mr Ponta to step down, complaining of government corruption and poor safety supervision.
Mr Ponta is already facing trial on corruption charges.
In September, he became the first sitting Romanian prime minister to go on trial over allegations of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.
He has denied the charges, accusing prosecutors of being "totally unprofessional".
Mr Ponta said on Wednesday that he and and his government were standing down.
"I hope the government's resignation will satisfy the people who came out in the streets," he said on Romanian TV.

Petru Clej, Bucharest
More than 100 people are still in hospital and some of them in a critical condition, after suffering burns and poisoning in the 30 October fire. Doctors fear the toll could rise.
A young woman who lost two friends in the blaze was clearly angry.
"We the young are the future. That is what we were told, that is how we were educated. And when something very serious like that happens and young people die, we see it as an attack against us. Things must change and change must come from those who govern us," she said.

Friday's fire broke out at the Colectiv nightclub as some 400 people gathered for a free rock concert by the band Goodbye to Gravity. Survivors said the fireworks caused the ceiling and a pillar to catch fire.
Three owners of the club have been arrested amid allegations that it was overcrowded, did not have enough emergency exits and may not have been authorised to hold such concerts.
Concerns that safety was compromised because of corruption, a long-standing issue in Romania, has fuelled public anger.
Image captionVictor Ponta has fiercely denied the corruption allegations he faces
Mr Ponta was one of three people urged by the protesters to resign. They also singled out the mayor of the Bucharest district where the nightclub fire occurred, and the interior minister.
The protesters chanted "shame on you" and "assassins", and carried banners reading "corruption kills".

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