Radio România Internațional

Tag: nightclub fire

  • December 5, 2015 UPDATE

    December 5, 2015 UPDATE

    The Romanian Ministry for Finances made public the draft budget for 2016. The ministries that will receive more money than in the previous financial year include the defence, interior, education, culture and healthcare. Fewer funds than in 2015 will be allocated for the transport, labour, justice and finance ministries. According to the bill, the budget revenues for next year will be nearly 0.8 billion euros higher than in 2015, while expenses will be 3.5 billion euro higher, and cover all the measures approved this year by the Government and Parliament. According to the Government, next year’s budget reflects a number of principles, including fiscal predictability, aimed at encouraging private investments and enhancing the confidence of the business community, efficient budget spending, improved transparency in spending public money and a transformation of the relationship between the state and taxpayers, in the sense of a more friendly attitude of public institutions towards citizens.



    The Romanian Health Ministry announced that all the victims of the October 30th fire at Bucharest’s Colectiv nightclub who are still in hospitals in Romania would be transferred abroad if their doctors recommend it and their families agree. The decision comes after the management of the Hospital for Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery in Bucharest admitted that three of the patients injured in the tragedy died from infections acquired in the hospital. Sixty people died in that fire and many others were injured. At present there are 31 patients in hospitals in Bucharest and 30 in clinics abroad. The protests against corruption in central and local administration that followed the tragedy led to the resignation of the Social Democrat Victor Ponta’s Cabinet.



    Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic Christians in Romania Sunday celebrate St. Nicholas, also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. Born in the 3rd Century in the Middle East, he has a reputation for gift-giving, and a lot of miracles are attributed to him. Nearly 800,000 Romanians bearing his name are also celebrating their name day on Sunday. According to Romanian tradition, the evening before St. Nicholas’ Feast Day shoes are taken out, and during the night the Saint will put gifts in them.



    Romanian troops will be training for a week, as of Monday, together with military from the USA and the neighbouring Republic of Moldova, at a shooting range in south-eastern Romania, which is hosting the Platinum Lynx 16.2 module of the Black Sea Rotational Force multinational exercise. The exercise is aimed at carrying on the joint training of troops, at enhancing the interoperability of participating forces and strengthening their partnership.



    The US Federal Bureau of Investigations officially rated as an act of terrorism the attack that killed 14 people and wounded 21 others on Wednesday in San Bernardino, California. The FBI chief, James Comey, said there are indications that the attackers were inspired by foreign terrorist organisations, but added that there is no evidence that they were members of a terrorist group.



    Romania’s national women’s handball team Saturday won its first match at the World Championship in Denmark, outperforming Puerto Rico 47-14. The next game, against Kazakhstan, is scheduled for Monday. The same Group D also includes Spain, Norway and Russia. The top four ranking teams in each group qualify into the eighth-finals. The World Championship is also a qualification criterion for the Rio Olympics, with the winner of this competition qualified to the Olympic Games and the teams ranking 2nd to 7th getting access to the pre-Olympic tournaments of April 2016. Romania is the only country which has taken part in all the World Championships final tournaments since 1957. The Romanians won gold in 1962 and silver in 1973 and 2005.

  • Rallies Carry on in Romania

    Rallies Carry on in Romania

    The fatal fire at Colectiv nightclub in downtown Bucharest on October 30 and the public outrage that followed it have caused an earthquake in central and local public administration, but the resignation of PM Victor Ponta did not appease the people, who continue to protest in many Romanian cities.



    As he had promised, the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis came down on Sunday night in Bucharests University Square, the meeting place of those who want a corruption-free country and politicians who focus on the national interest instead of their own gains. The demands expressed openly for the sixth consecutive night included the replacement of the political elite, early parliamentary elections, the appointment of a technocratic cabinet, or even the resignation of the countrys president.



    The presence of Klaus Iohannis in University Square animated the various groups of protesters, who crowded around to talk to the President. Some of them received answers, but most only managed to cry out their disappointment and demands, some of them applauded the President, others booed.



    “I want peace and quiet as soon as possible, and I want things to work, as you promised!


    “For 26 years a lot of laws were passed in Romania but against Romania and its people. We should cancel all of them and replace them with laws that protect our rights.


    “The voices in University Square must be heard, whether they come from the left or the right of the political spectrum. A political solution is needed, and you, as the President, are in a position to make this happen.



    After the President left the Square, some protesters gathered in an unplanned debate group:



    “Fellows, the greatest evil for the Romanian people is, in my opinion, parliamentary immunity. Moreover, I think a technocratic government for one year would give us a chance to elect good people.


    “We must keep in mind that politics works through political parties.



    Meanwhile, back to the Presidency headquarters, the head of state posted a message on his Facebook account, stating that what he saw in University Square was a sense of rebellion, but also hope that things can change. The political consultation process initiated by the President last week is yet to generate solutions, as the main parliamentary parties still hesitate to take responsibility for a new government. For the first time in Romania, civil society members were also invited to take part in the talks. Their message was that the current political class has lost its legitimacy and that the new cabinet must be formed of people having no problems with the judiciary.



    New talks are scheduled for early this week, in view of solving the political crisis, but the President is also expected to come up with suggestions for a solution.

  • Fire Prevention, from Theory to Practice

    Fire Prevention, from Theory to Practice

    The horrific incident in the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest would have never happened if the venue had had fire safety permits granted by the Department for Emergency Situations. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. The tragedy brought to light the fact that thousands of venues throughout Romania, which host events attended by hundreds and even thousands of people, do not have fire safety permits. In fact, all of them have been operating for years without such permits.



    It was the interim prime minister himself, Sorin Cimpeanu, who announced on Saturday that only 7% of the 19 thousand schools in Romania have fire safety permits. Cimpeanu has explained that this situation was triggered by the fact that getting a fire safety permit is neither easy, nor cheap.



    Sorin Cimpeanu: “The licensing documentation must be drawn up by certified experts, it costs around 10 to 15 thousand euros and it takes 6 to 12 months to complete, depending on the building.



    A day later, Prime Minister Cimpeanu said that following his announcement, another 4,000 schools “remembered they did have a fire safety permit, after all. Hospitals are no better in this respect either, PM Cimpeanu said.



    State Secretary with the Home Affairs Ministry, Raed Arafat, has confirmed the situation and has pointed out that several hospital managers have been fined this year for this very reason. Arafat has also said that nightclubs and dance clubs are being checked for safety permits and for compliance with maximum capacity regulations.



    Raed Arafat: “There are many nightclubs and dance clubs which have closed down until they receive safety permits. Checks are under way and I assure you we are very strict. We wont hesitate to punish those who do not comply.



    The Department for Emergency Situations has checked cinemas, theatre halls, cultural centres and city halls in Bucharest and outside the capital city and has found that many of them operated without safety permits. The National Arena is the best example in this respect. Romanias biggest stadium, which in the last 4 years venued international football matches attended by thousands of spectators, such as the Europa League final and the match between Romania and Netherlands, has never had the fire departments approval to operate.

  • November 3, 2015 UPDATE

    November 3, 2015 UPDATE

    25,000 protesters marched in downtown Bucharest on Tuesday night, according to estimates by the Romanian Gendarmerie. The march started in University Square, continued in Victory Square, the Interior Ministry, the Constitution Square and Bucharest’s District 4 City Hall. The protest was organized on social networks, in the wake of Friday night’s tragedy at Colectiv Club.

    Chanting slogans like Resignation, resignation, Solidarity and toting signs reading Corruption kills or We are the generation that changes history, the protesters called for the resignations of Prime Minister Victor Ponta, Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea and Cristian Popescu-Piedone, the mayor of Bucharest’s fourth district, where Colectiv Club is located.

    The day was also marked by protests against the government and the political class in general, floral tributes, prayers and religious masses in several big cities across Romania: Braila, Ramnicu Valcea, Sibiu, Miercurea Ciuc, Cluj Napoca, Alba-Iulia, Brasov.

    Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis posted a message on his Facebook page writing that it is a street movement, emerging from people’s wish to see their human condition and dignity respected. I understood that they rightfully call for and expect that someone assumes political responsibility. The next step should be taken by politicians, who can’t ignore such a feeling of revolt. In
    turn, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies,
    Valeriu Zgonea, wrote on Facebook: I understand the people who took to
    the streets tonight. I understand their fury. I think it is high time the whole
    political class understood that half-measures are no longer acceptable. (…) The
    memory of the young people who died in Colectiv club doesn’t need monuments,
    but justice!

    On Friday night, the club Colectiv was devastated by a deadly fire, which killed at least 32 people and injured 140 others. According to prosecutors, the blaze was caused by a pyrotechnical show during a rock concert in the aforementioned overcrowded club. Doctors believe the death toll could go up as many of the participants have inhaled a toxic smoke. The club’s three owners have been accused of manslaughter and placed under pre-trial arrest. The government has endorsed a decision under which the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations can close down clubs, which aren’t observing fire prevention measures.

    Pope Francis has conveyed a message to Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis expressing his profound regret for the tragedy in Bucharest on Friday night. The Pontiff has assured the victims’ families, the authorities and the entire Romanian nation of his spiritual support. Many high-ranking officials and foreign ambassadors have paid homage to the fire victims in recent days. Books of condolence have been opened at Romania’s foreign embassies abroad.

    The heart of Queen Maria of Romania was placed on Tuesday in the Golden Chamber of the Pelisor Castle in the mountain resort of Sinaia. The royal family, representatives of the government, the church and the army participated in the ceremony held at the castle which was built upon her plans, and where her heart beat for the last time, back in 1938. Born in 1875, Maria Alexandra Victoria of Saxa Coburg-Gotha was a princess of Great Britain and Ireland, granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Britain. She became Romania’s second queen as wife of king Ferdinand. During their reign, at the end of WWI, the Romanian nation state was founded after the provinces with a majority Romanian-speaking population of Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania had joined the Kingdom of Romania. The queen’s presence on the frontline, where she acted as a nurse in military hospitals, as well as her commitment to the Great Union turned her into the most beloved female personality in the history of the Romanians.

    On Wednesday Romania’s capital Bucharest will be playing host to a high level summit of the Central and East European countries. The summit, co-presided by the Romanian and Polish heads of state, Klaus Iohannis and Andrzej Duda, respectively, will be attended by their counterparts from Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Hungary. They will also be joined by the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic and NATO Deputy Secretary General, Alexander Vershbow. Present in our country as of Tuesday, president Duda has said that Romania is Poland’s strategic partner in the region and that NATO presence in this part of Europe must be increased.

    A traditional folk dance from Transylvania, the so-called Lads’ Dance, has been included in the UNESCO’s immaterial world heritage list. This specific dance, which has kept its continuity in the Romanian folklore, is a harmonious blend of rhythm and movement. Talks about the inclusion of the Lads’ Dance on the UNESCO heritage list commenced two years ago, upon the initiative of Romanian researcher Zamfir Dejeu, member in the National Committee for Salvaging the National Immaterial Cultural Heritage.

    The Democratic Party in the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet country with a Romanian-speaking majority on Tuesday expressed its readiness to forge a coalition including with the pro-Russia communists if this leads to political stability. Democratic Party leaders have announced they are no longer willing to wait until the Liberal-Democrats of former Prime Minister Valeriu Strelet make a decision to join the talks for a new ruling coalition. The Strelet cabinet, made up of Liberal-Democrats, Democrats and Liberals was dismissed last week following a no-confidence vote tabled by the Socialists and the Communists and backed by the Democrats. President Nicolae Timofti has designated the Liberal Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Brega for the position of interim Prime Minister.

  • November 3, 2015 UPDATE

    November 3, 2015 UPDATE

    25,000 protesters marched in downtown Bucharest on Tuesday night, according to estimates by the Romanian Gendarmerie. The march started in University Square, continued in Victory Square, the Interior Ministry, the Constitution Square and Bucharest’s District 4 City Hall. The protest was organized on social networks, in the wake of Friday night’s tragedy at Colectiv Club.

    Chanting slogans like Resignation, resignation, Solidarity and toting signs reading Corruption kills or We are the generation that changes history, the protesters called for the resignations of Prime Minister Victor Ponta, Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea and Cristian Popescu-Piedone, the mayor of Bucharest’s fourth district, where Colectiv Club is located.

    The day was also marked by protests against the government and the political class in general, floral tributes, prayers and religious masses in several big cities across Romania: Braila, Ramnicu Valcea, Sibiu, Miercurea Ciuc, Cluj Napoca, Alba-Iulia, Brasov.

    Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis posted a message on his Facebook page writing that it is a street movement, emerging from people’s wish to see their human condition and dignity respected. I understood that they rightfully call for and expect that someone assumes political responsibility. The next step should be taken by politicians, who can’t ignore such a feeling of revolt. In
    turn, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies,
    Valeriu Zgonea, wrote on Facebook: I understand the people who took to
    the streets tonight. I understand their fury. I think it is high time the whole
    political class understood that half-measures are no longer acceptable. (…) The
    memory of the young people who died in Colectiv club doesn’t need monuments,
    but justice!

    On Friday night, the club Colectiv was devastated by a deadly fire, which killed at least 32 people and injured 140 others. According to prosecutors, the blaze was caused by a pyrotechnical show during a rock concert in the aforementioned overcrowded club. Doctors believe the death toll could go up as many of the participants have inhaled a toxic smoke. The club’s three owners have been accused of manslaughter and placed under pre-trial arrest. The government has endorsed a decision under which the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations can close down clubs, which aren’t observing fire prevention measures.

    Pope Francis has conveyed a message to Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis expressing his profound regret for the tragedy in Bucharest on Friday night. The Pontiff has assured the victims’ families, the authorities and the entire Romanian nation of his spiritual support. Many high-ranking officials and foreign ambassadors have paid homage to the fire victims in recent days. Books of condolence have been opened at Romania’s foreign embassies abroad.

    The heart of Queen Maria of Romania was placed on Tuesday in the Golden Chamber of the Pelisor Castle in the mountain resort of Sinaia. The royal family, representatives of the government, the church and the army participated in the ceremony held at the castle which was built upon her plans, and where her heart beat for the last time, back in 1938. Born in 1875, Maria Alexandra Victoria of Saxa Coburg-Gotha was a princess of Great Britain and Ireland, granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Britain. She became Romania’s second queen as wife of king Ferdinand. During their reign, at the end of WWI, the Romanian nation state was founded after the provinces with a majority Romanian-speaking population of Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania had joined the Kingdom of Romania. The queen’s presence on the frontline, where she acted as a nurse in military hospitals, as well as her commitment to the Great Union turned her into the most beloved female personality in the history of the Romanians.

    On Wednesday Romania’s capital Bucharest will be playing host to a high level summit of the Central and East European countries. The summit, co-presided by the Romanian and Polish heads of state, Klaus Iohannis and Andrzej Duda, respectively, will be attended by their counterparts from Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Hungary. They will also be joined by the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic and NATO Deputy Secretary General, Alexander Vershbow. Present in our country as of Tuesday, president Duda has said that Romania is Poland’s strategic partner in the region and that NATO presence in this part of Europe must be increased.

    A traditional folk dance from Transylvania, the so-called Lads’ Dance, has been included in the UNESCO’s immaterial world heritage list. This specific dance, which has kept its continuity in the Romanian folklore, is a harmonious blend of rhythm and movement. Talks about the inclusion of the Lads’ Dance on the UNESCO heritage list commenced two years ago, upon the initiative of Romanian researcher Zamfir Dejeu, member in the National Committee for Salvaging the National Immaterial Cultural Heritage.

    The Democratic Party in the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet country with a Romanian-speaking majority on Tuesday expressed its readiness to forge a coalition including with the pro-Russia communists if this leads to political stability. Democratic Party leaders have announced they are no longer willing to wait until the Liberal-Democrats of former Prime Minister Valeriu Strelet make a decision to join the talks for a new ruling coalition. The Strelet cabinet, made up of Liberal-Democrats, Democrats and Liberals was dismissed last week following a no-confidence vote tabled by the Socialists and the Communists and backed by the Democrats. President Nicolae Timofti has designated the Liberal Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Brega for the position of interim Prime Minister.

  • Solidarity with Tragedy Victims

    Solidarity with Tragedy Victims

    Friday nights fire at the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest, which killed more than 30 people, has deeply impressed the Romanian society, which has mobilized in an unprecedented humanitarian effort. Sympathy messages are pouring in from abroad as well.



    President Klaus Iohannis Monday said he was impressed with the messages received from foreign heads of state and government, ambassadors and other officials, and thanked all of them. “There are warm words of support and encouragement sent to all Romanians, and I am reading them with a lot of emotion, Iohannis said. The President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, was among the first to send his condolences to the victims families.



    In turn, the European Commissioner for Regional Policies Corina Cretu voiced her grief and shock upon hearing about the tragedy in Bucharest. She called on fellow Romanians to remain united through this difficult moment. The embassies of the USA and the Russian Federation flew their flags at half-mast, while the ambassadors of the USA, Great Britain and France came to the Colectiv club to light candles and bring flowers in memory of the victims. We should note that several foreign citizens were among the victims of the fire.



    While on a visit to Romania, the President of Poland Andrzej Duda laid flowers and lit a candle at Colectiv. The Presidents of Armenia, Estonia and Turkey have also sent messages of condolences to their Romanian counterpart. The authorities of the neighbouring Republic of Moldova have donated nearly 700 litres of blood to help the injured, while in Chisinau thousands of people have lit candles and kept a moment of silence in front of the Romanian Embassy building.



    President Nicolae Timofti said it was time for the Republic of Moldova to prove it stood by its Romanian brothers, given that Romania has always shown its solidarity with the citizens of Moldova.



    Prince Charles, known as a friend of Romanians, wrote, “I was utterly appalled to hear of the dreadful tragedy in the Bucharest nightclub on Friday and wanted you to know how deeply I feel for all those Romanians who lost their loved ones in this terrible fire. My heart also goes out to the poor victims who are in hospital and to their families who wait anxiously by their bedsides. My thoughts and special prayers are with you and the Romanian people, Prince Charles said in a message to President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

  • Medical Challenges after Colectiv Deadly Fire

    Medical Challenges after Colectiv Deadly Fire

    More and more chilling details continue to emerge regarding the devastating fire sparked by stage pyrotechnics in the overcrowded Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest. A team of scientists from the Polytechnic University in Bucharest exposed the mix of chemical agents that intoxicated the people inside, which includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide, hydrochloric acid and other toxic substances. This mix is deadly on any human being, the chief of Plastic Surgery at the Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Professor Ioan Lascar told the press. The challenges facing the medical team treating the patients are therefore huge.



    Ioan Lascar: “The risk posed by most of the surface burns is not that worrisome. But they are associated with the intoxication with these deadly gases and the high temperatures that burned the airways and pulmonary tissue, so it is hard for us to anticipate the evolution of our patients.



    Many of the young people who suffered burns are now in intensive care units in 12 hospitals in Bucharest. They are currently intubated and require mechanical ventilation. Here is the medical manager of the University Hospital Dragos Davitoiu with details about the procedures in their case:



    Dragos Davitoiu: “The attending physicians are monitoring them, treating their burns in several phases. They decide when to operate. Patients burns are dressed and lavaged. Life support protocols are ongoing.



    Over the next few days, some of the patients might need dialysis, as the toxic substances they inhaled reach the kidneys. The doctors will also perform several skin-grafting surgeries. Here is Health Minister Nicolae Banicioiu:



    Nicolae Banicioiu: “Romania has a skin bank. At present it has considerable supplies to cover the amount of skin required. Many people have expressed their intention to donate skin. Any help we can get is most welcome, we are not saying no to anyone.



    Teams of doctors from Israel and France have come to Romania to assist doctors in their efforts, saying that never before have they encountered such severe cases. Secretary General of the French Society for Burn Injuries Professor Marc Chaouat specialises in reconstructive plastic and aesthetic surgery:



    Marc Chaouat: “This situation is unusually rare. In all my 20 years of medical experience treating and operating burn injuries, I have never seen burns like these, nor such a large number of burn patients in need of treatment.



    The authorities and doctors fear the number of fatalities might increase significantly.