A deadly nightclub fire in North Macedonia leaves over 150 people injured and kills 59 people

Authorities in North Macedonia have reported that a nightclub fire has killed at least 59 people and injured over 150 others.

According to Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski, a horrific fire at a packed nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, has killed at least 59 people and injured over 150 more.

Four people have been the subject of arrest warrants in relation to the incident, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

When fireworks were let off inside the Pulse club in Kocani, which is roughly 100km (62 miles) east of the capital, Skopje, on Sunday during a performance by the band DNK, the fire broke out at around 3am (02:00 GMT).

Videos taken before to the incident and shared on social media platforms demonstrate the use of “stage fountains,” a kind of indoor explosions utilized during performances.

“The ceiling, which was composed of easily flammable material, was struck by the sparks as they were being set off, and the fire quickly spread throughout the entire discotheque, producing thick smoke,” Toshkovski added.

Videos show massive smoke plumes rising into the night sky as the skyscraper is engulfed in flames.

According to the nation’s Sloboden Pecat daily, the government is anticipated to announce a seven-day period of mourning. The report also stated that it intends to request emergency inspections of all restaurants and nightclubs that hold gatherings.

Kocani residents noted that this is a great tragedy for the entire nation, not only for such a small village in the eastern region of North Macedonia.

“A lot of parents are still looking for their kids here, by the side of the road,” she said.

According to the MRT public broadcaster in North Macedonia, 23 patients were receiving treatment at the Clinical Center, while 27 patients with severe burns were admitted to the Skopje City Hospital.

According to the Sloboden Pecat daily, the majority of the injured are between the ages of 14 and 24, according to Kristina Serafimova, director of Kocani General Hospital, where several casualties were first treated.

Some of the deceased, Serafimova said, are still unidentified since they did not have identification with them. Three members of the band DNK—Andrej Gorgieski, Filip Stevanovski, and Gorgi Gorgijev—as well as Sara Projkovska, the group’s photographer and backup vocalist, were among those who were authenticated.

Since it was discovered that the nightclub’s operating license had been forged, twenty people have been arrested in relation to the fire, including an employee of the Ministry of the Economy, which is in charge of awarding licenses.

This is a challenging and very depressing day for Macedonia, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote in a Facebook post. The suffering endured by the families, friends, and loved ones is incalculable, and the loss of so many young lives is irreversible.

“I urge all capable organizations, health services, and pertinent authorities to act immediately to aid the injured and provide support to the impacted families.”

Emergency personnel and a public prosecutor from Kocani’s Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office were on the scene, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“The exact number of fatalities and injuries is still up for debate. The prosecutor’s office issued a statement saying, “All of the prosecution offices’ resources and capabilities will be mobilized to support the Kocani prosecution in its urgent response.”

Across the continent, condolences have been pouring in, with neighboring countries including Albania, Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria offering to help treat the injured or offer support.

“I’m devastated that so many young kids perished in the horrible Kocani fire. Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, expressed his condolences to the families of all those affected by this tragedy.

In a letter to Kiro Stojanov, the bishop of Skopje, the Vatican said that Pope Francis had offered prayers to the victims and survivors and wished “the families of the dead, mostly young people, the expression of his deep condolence, signifying spiritual closeness to the wounded.”