A massive fire broke out early on Sunday in the nightclub killing 51 people and injuring about 100 more, interior minister Panche Toshkovski said.
ADVERTISEMENTA massive fire that broke out early on Sunday in a nightclub in North Macedonia’s southern town of Kocani has killed 51 people and injured about 100 more, interior minister Panche Toshkovski told a press conference.
The blaze began around 2:35 a.m. during a concert by a local pop group, according to Toshkovski. He said the young clubgoers used pyrotechnics that caused the roof to catch fire.
Kocani TV station reported that the fire began at the Pulse Disco Club and that fire crews came from nearby cities to tackle it.
“Horrifying scenes and a dramatic fight to save the injured and survivors took place in the early morning hours. No one knows the number of victims, 20,50 and up to 100 victims are mentioned,” a report on its facebook page said.
Toshkovski said police have arrested one man, but didn’t provide any further details.
The exact causes of the fire will be determined and all those responsible will be held accountable,” Minister Toshkovski said, adding that some organisers had been arrested , while others were among the injured. Members of the band Dnk, which performed at the venue, were taken to hospital.
Relatives of the victims gathered in front of hospitals and municipal offices in Kocani, begging the authorities to provide more information. The football championship was suspended today as a sign of mourning.
“The government is mobilised and will do everything necessary to address the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy,” Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote on social media.
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said she was deeply saddened by the tragic fire.
“My condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured. The EU shares the pain and suffering of the people of North Macedonia,” the post reads.
