Authorities have arrested around 20 people in connection with the nightclub fire in North Macedonia that tragically claimed the lives of at least 59 people.
Reports state that the fire injured 155 people, with 18 in critical condition. Authorities are transferring some of the more serious cases to other European countries for treatment. Among the victims were young people, some as young as 16.
The fire broke out at Club Pulse in the eastern town of Kocani around 3 a.m., where over 1,000 mostly young concertgoers were attending a performance by the popular hip-hop duo DNK.
Cause of fire
According to a woman waiting at the hospital for a friend receiving treatment for burns to his hand, firefighters and paramedics arrived on the scene promptly and tried their best to revive the victims, but it wasn’t enough.
Toskovski, who visited the scene with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, said they believed pyrotechnic devices used for light effects during the event caused the fire.
According to Toskovski, the fire quickly spread across the nightclub and filled the space with dense smoke when sparks from the devices ignited the ceiling, which was composed of a highly flammable substance.
He mentioned that authorities have arrested around 20 people, including government officials and the club manager, who was operating without a valid license, in connection with the fire.
“We are all in shock, and I am shocked myself: as a mother, as a person, as a president,” said Gordana Davkova Siljanovska, president of North Macedonia, in a speech to the country on Sunday evening.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that the economy ministry illegally issued the license and vowed to hold those responsible accountable and ensure they face justice.
On Facebook: “This is a difficult and very sad day” for the nation, stated Prime Minister Mickoski. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the grief of their families, their loved ones, and their friends is immeasurable.”
Condition of the casualties
Stojanche Angelov, the head of North Macedonia’s Crisis Centre, said they are preparing to transport the seriously injured from the Kocani fire to top hospitals in several European countries.
Kristina Serafimovska, head of the Kocani hospital, reported that they are treating patients aged 14 to 25. She added, “Seventy of the patients have burns and carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Vladimir Blazev, one of the members of the DNK duo that had performed, suffered burns to his face and needed help breathing, his sister shared with local media.
Dragi Stojanov’s only son, Tomce, tragically lost his life in the fire.
“It’s my only child, and he died,” he told reporters at the scene. “What am I supposed to do?”
Stojanov shared that he had stayed there “all night” and said, “They can’t even get bodies out,” with “200 people” still trapped inside.
“This was my only child. I don’t need my life anymore. I don’t need my life,” he added, his voice filled with heartbreak.
A survivor, locally named 20-year-old Marija Taseva, who was in the nightclub when the fire broke out, revealed that her 25-year-old sister died in the disaster. The survivor said, “I was saved and she wasn’t.”
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