Music

Romanian Prime Minister resigns after deadly fire at metal concert

by Jeremy Mersereau

Thousands of protestors took to the streets of Bucharest to demand the resignation of Romanian prime minister Victor Ponta, who subsequently announced his departure. Popular outrage was sparked after an out-of-control fire started by pyrotechnics killed 32 people at a concert by Romanian metal band Goodbye to Gravity on Halloween night, leading to anger about the government’s role in the deaths due to corruption and incompetence.

The deadly incident occurred at a club and concert venue called Colectiv, which was located in a converted Communist factory and only had one exit and no sprinklers. The fire started when foam insulation was ignited by Goodbye to Gravity’s pyrotechnics, leading to the deaths of 32 people including the band’s two guitarists. 130 people are still hospitalized.

More than 20,000 people protested the government’s part in the incident last night, citing lack of proper safety inspections, too-lax licensing, and widespread corruption for allowing the fire to happen. Prime Minister Victor Ponta bowed to public pressure and announced his resignation in a statement.

“I have the obligation to acknowledge that there is legitimate anger in society…In my years as a politician, I put up a fight in any battle with political opponents. However, I won’t put up a fight against the people,” Ponta said. “I’m handing in my mandate, I’m resigning, and implicitly my government too.” Along with Ponta, the protestors also demanded the resignations of Romania’s deputy prime minister and the mayor of the district where the venue fire occurred, who also stepped down today. The three owners of Colectiv have been arrested and charged with manslaughter.

Victor Ponta didn’t have a spotless record before taking office: According to The New York Times, he had been indicted earlier this year for money laundering, forgery, and tax evasion.