Horror nightclub fire kills 59 and injures 155 during concert – The Mirror US
A devastating fire that tore through a nightclub in North Macedonia has left 59 dead and 155 injured.
The fire erupted around 2:30 a.m. during a concert by a local pop group at Club Pulse in the eastern town of Kocani, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said. He confirmed that 39 of the deceased have been identified so far. Toshkovski suggested that pyrotechnics likely ignited the roof, leading to the catastrophic blaze. Videos from the scene depicted a chaotic situation inside the club, with young attendees scrambling through smoke to escape as the band urged a swift evacuation.
As families anxiously awaited news outside hospitals, Kocani resident Dragi Stojanov received the heartbreaking news of his 21-year-old son Tomce's death in the fire. "He was my only child. I don't need my life anymore," he lamented. "One hundred and fifty families have been devastated."
Officials reported that the injured were transported to hospitals across the country, including the capital, Skopje, many suffering severe burns. Volunteer organizations are assisting in the effort. Health Minister Arben Taravari stated that 118 people have been hospitalized and mentioned receiving offers of aid from neighboring countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia.
"All our capabilities have been put to use, in a maximum effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy," Taravari told reporters, appearing visibly shaken at times. The small, landlocked nation of less than 2 million people is reeling from what's being described as the most devastating tragedy in recent history.
During a heartfelt visit to Skopje's hospital burn unit, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova met with victims and spoke to anxious parents outside the facility. Overcome with emotion, she remarked, "It's terrible … hard to believe how this happened," and stressed the importance of giving the young survivors the courage to move forward.
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Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his sorrow online, stating: "This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable."
Local reports by MKD indicate that the club where the incident occurred was housed in an old structure, formerly a carpet warehouse, and had been operational for several years. The fire led to a partial collapse of the building's roof, exposing burnt wooden beams and rubble. Police have sealed off the area and initiated a meticulous evidence collection process involving both law enforcement and state prosecutors.
State prosecutor Ljubco Kocevski revealed that police are questioning several individuals but refrained from providing additional specifics. He emphasized that the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Officials from the Interior Ministry have announced that an investigation will be launched into the venue's licensing and safety measures, stating that the government has a "moral responsibility" to aid in the prosecution of anyone found culpable. While one individual has been arrested in connection with the incident, no further details regarding their involvement have been released.
