A devastating fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia has resulted in the deaths of at least 51 people, with around 100 others injured, officials report. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed the grim toll during a press conference, stating that the incident occurred in Kocani, a town located approximately 100 kilometers east of the capital, Skopje.
The fire broke out during a concert by the popular hip-hop duo DNK at the nightclub Pulse, which was reportedly filled with around 1,500 attendees. Toshkovski indicated that the use of pyrotechnics by young club-goers ignited the roof, leading to a rapid and chaotic evacuation as smoke filled the venue. Eyewitness videos captured the panic, with concertgoers frantically trying to escape as the musicians urged them to leave quickly.
In the aftermath, police have arrested one individual, although details regarding their involvement have not been disclosed.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his sorrow on social media, calling it a “difficult and very sad day for Macedonia.” He lamented the loss of so many young lives and acknowledged the immeasurable pain felt by families and friends. “The people and the government will do everything in their power to at least slightly alleviate their pain and help them in these most difficult moments,” he stated.
Public broadcaster MRT reported that 27 of the injured were hospitalized at Skopje City Hospital with severe burns, while another 23 were receiving treatment at the Clinical Center. Among those injured were minors, raising further concern within the community.
As family members gathered outside hospitals and city offices in Kocani, many pleaded for more information about their loved ones, highlighting the emotional toll of this tragic event. The incident has sent shockwaves through the country, prompting an urgent need for support and answers in the wake of this horrific disaster.
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