Sporadic violence broke out in North Macedonia on Monday as thousands of people demanded justice for 59 people killed in a nightclub blaze and called for an end to the corruption that they say was behind the country's worst disaster in years.

Authorities in North Macedonia are appealing for calm as students plan fresh protests following the nightclub fire in the eastern town of Kocani that killed 59 people over the weekend.

At least 59 people died and more than 150 were injured in the inferno. The authorities said the venue’s hospitality permit had been issued illegally.