North Macedonia: 51 Killed and 100 Injured In Nightclub Fire

As many as 51 people killed and more than 100 injured in a fire at a packed nightclub in Kocani in North Macedonia. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said the blaz erupted at about 3 am on Sunday during a concert by the band DNA. Pyrotechnics were set off inside the venue in Kocani. It is located around 100 km east of the capital, Skopje.

According to Interior Minister, sparks caused fire and fire spread through the discotheque. Blaze was caused by pyrotechnic devices used during the concert. A video from the event, shows a band playing on stage flanked by two flares firing white sparks into the air. Social media videos show the building completely engulfed in flames.

Firefighters doused the charred and smoking entrance to the club, named ‘Pulse,’ TV footage from a local broadcaster showed. North Macedonia’s MRT public broadcaster reported that 27 people hospitalised at the Skopje City Hospital with severe burns and another 23 were being treated at the Clinical Center. Among the injured were minors. Videos show the building completely engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke.

PM Hristijan Mickoski said in a post on Facebook: “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia! The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.” “I call on all competent institutions – health services, relevant authorities – to take urgent measures to assist the injured and support the families of the families.”