Collective

On October 30, 2015, the metal band Goodbye to Gravity takes the stage at Colectiv, a popular club in Bucharest, Romania. The atmosphere is charged with excitement as fans eagerly anticipate the show, unaware of the impending tragedy.

A catastrophic fire breaks out at Colectiv during the band's performance, sparked by pyrotechnics. The blaze results in the immediate deaths of 27 individuals, while 180 others suffer severe injuries in the chaos that ensues.

In the months following the fire, 37 additional victims succumb to their injuries, highlighting the failures of the healthcare system. The inadequate medical response and lack of proper facilities raise serious concerns about public health safety.

In the wake of the disaster, a group of dedicated journalists begins to delve into the mismanagement of the healthcare system. They receive disturbing tips that lead them to investigate the efficacy of disinfectants used at hospitals.

The journalists' investigation uncovers that the disinfectants used in hospitals are diluted, leading to infections and further deaths. Their report implicates Hexi Pharma, the supplier, which falsified documentation about its products.

In response to the revelations, the Minister of Health, Patriciu Achimaș-Cadariu, orders an investigation into the scandal. During a television interview, journalist Cătălin Tolontan confronts the minister about the disinfectant's supposed effectiveness, only to be dismissed.

Despite mounting evidence of negligence, it is revealed that intelligence services were aware of fatal bacterial infections yet failed to act. This information galvanizes public outrage, prompting mass protests against the government.

Following widespread protests and pressure from the public, the Health Minister resigns amid calls for accountability. Meanwhile, an investigation is launched against Dan Condrea, the CEO of Hexi Pharma.

A press conference reveals that tests conducted on Hexi Pharma's products confirmed they were all diluted. When pressed by Tolontan about previous claims of effectiveness, the Ministry of Health abruptly refuses to comment.

In a tragic turn of events, Dan Condrea dies in a car accident shortly after the scandal surfaces. His untimely death raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the unfolding crisis and adds tension to the narrative.

The Gazette receives a disturbing video depicting a patient with maggots in their wound, illustrating the dire conditions in hospitals. A frustrated doctor recounts the persistence of medical negligence despite governmental overhauls in late 2015.

Vlad Voiculescu is appointed as the new Minister of Health and meets with the doctor to discuss the severe treatment patients endure. He learns about widespread bribery among hospital staff and management, indicating deep-rooted corruption.

Voiculescu discovers extensive corruption permeating every public hospital, complicating his efforts to enact reform. He realizes that addressing this issue may require drastic measures, including potentially firing numerous corrupt officials.

After Voiculescu reallocates funds from a lung transplant unit, he faces backlash from Mayor Gabriela Firea. She accuses him of mismanaging taxpayer resources while attempting to improve hospital conditions.

On election day, the Social Democrats secure a majority in the polls. At The Gazette, concerns rise as Tolontan's colleagues receive warnings about threats to their safety, indicating the increasingly perilous climate for investigative journalists.