By Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje The victims of the devastating nightclub fire in Kocani, North Macedonia, were laid to rest on March 20, with thousands gathering in silence to pay their respects.

Thousands of mourners have flocked to funerals in North Macedonia for the dozens of victims of last weekend’s devastating nightclub fire, bringing flowers and photographs and some of them collapsing in grief.

Authorities have said the club's licence was obtained illegally, and that the venue lacked fire extinguishers and emergency exits and was made of flammable materials. State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski said a total of 24 suspects were being held and three were still in hospital after the fire,