Authorities said that a massive fire ripped through a nightclub early Sunday morning in the eastern town of Kocani, North Macedonia, killing more than 50 people and injuring over 100 others.
Reporters were told that the fire broke out at 2:35 am during a performance by a local group of pop singers in the Pulse Nightclub.
He claimed that pyrotechnics were responsible for the roof catching fire. Videos showed the chaos in the club with people running through smoke while the musicians were urging people to leave as soon as possible.
Many of the victims suffered severe burns. Multiple volunteer organizations are helping with the effort.
Arben Taravari, Health Minister, said that 118 people were hospitalized. He also stated that he received assistance offers from countries in the region, such as Albania, Bulgaria, and Greece.
Taravari, who was visibly shaking at times, told reporters that “all our capabilities were used to the maximum extent possible to save as many young lives as we could of those involved in this tragic event.”
It is the worst disaster to have struck the landlocked country in recent times, with a population of less than 2,000,000.
“This is an extremely sad and difficult day for Macedonia. “The loss of so many lives is irreparable and the pain felt by the families, friends and loved ones is incomparable,” wrote Hristijan Mickoski, Prime Minister of Macedonia, on X (formerly Twitter).
The government and people will do all they can to help and ease their suffering in these difficult times.
Families gathered outside hospitals and Kocani city offices to ask for more information.
According to the local media MKD, the club is located in a former carpet warehouse that has been operating for several years.
The fire caused a partial collapse of the roof, revealing the charred wood beams and other debris. In an operation that also involved state prosecutors, police cordoned off and sent evidence gathering teams to the scene.
Toshkovski stated that authorities would investigate venue licensing and safety provisions. He added that the government has a “moral obligation” to assist in prosecuting anyone responsible. Toshkovski said that authorities would investigate the venue’s licensing and safety provisions, adding that the government had a “moral responsibility” to help prosecute anyone responsible.
Upon hearing of the tragedy that occurred overnight, both the immediate neighbors as well as leaders from other parts of Europe expressed their condolences.
Kaja Kallas posted on X, that she is “deeply moved” and the 27-nation EU “shares grief and pain with the people of North Macedonia.” North Macedonia has applied to join the EU.
Politicians from across the region also sent their condolences, including Edi Rama of Albania, Marta Kos the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
“I wish the injured a quick recovery.” “On this tragic day, Ukraine mourns with our (North Macedonian) friends,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
