A massive fire in a nightclub in North Macedonia’s southern town of Kocani has killed 51 people and injured more than 100, interior minister Panche Toshkovski has told a press conference.
The blaze began about 2.35am (6.30pm AEDT) on Sunday 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.
Videos showed chaos inside the night club, with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible.
Officials said the injured have been taken to hospitals around the country, including the capital, Skopje, many with severe burns. The effort was being assisted by multiple volunteer organizations.
Health Minister Arben Taravari said 118 people have been hospitalized, adding that he had received offers of assistance from neighboring countries.
“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, at times looking visibly shaken.
This is the worst tragedy in recent memory to befall the landlocked nation, whose population is less than 2 million.
“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,” Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“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.”
Family members gathered in front of hospitals and Kocani’s city offices begging authorities for more information.
The club was in an old building that was previously a carpet warehouse and has been running for several years, according to local media MKD.
The club was in an old building that was previously a carpet warehouse and has been running for several years, according to local media MKD.
Toshkovski said that authorities would investigate the venue’s licensing and safety provisions, adding that the government had a “moral responsibility” to help prosecute anyone responsible.
Police have arrested one man already, but he didn’t provide details on the person’s involvement.
Condolences poured in from politicians across the region, including Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
