'Catastrophic' fire in North Macedonia nightclub kills at least 59 people.
"It's a catastrophic tragedy," an operator at a local hospital
LONDON and BELGRADE -- Dozens of people were killed in a fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia's southern city of Kocani, local authorities said Sunday.
During a press conference on Sunday, North Macedonian interior minister Pance Toshkovski stated that at least 59 people, all of whom were between the ages of 18 and 23, were killed. Among the victims was a police officer, who was in the nightclub on duty, Toshkovski said.
Dr. The head of the Kocani General Hospital, Kristina Serafimova, told ABC News that the victims died from smoke inhalation, burns, and a stampede caused by the fire. According to Serafimova, there was only one way out of the nightclub. Another 155 people were injured in the incident, all of whom are aged between 14 and 24, Serafimova and Toshkovski said. Around 10 of those injured are in critical condition and on respirators fighting for their lives, Serafimova said.
Serafimova stated that all of the most serious cases had been transferred to hospitals in other parts of the country or abroad. Toshkovski stated that arrest warrants have been issued for four individuals but declined to provide any additional information. The fire's origin and possible safety violations are the subject of an investigation by authorities. According to Toshkovski, the Ministry of Economy and the Public Prosecutor's Office are gathering information regarding the nightclub and the alleged perpetrators of the tragedy.
A switchboard operator at one of the hospitals treating victims told ABC News, "It's a catastrophic tragedy."
The manager of the band DNK, which was performing at the nightclub when the fire broke out, told ABC News that the venue had a maximum capacity of 500 to 700 people.
The band, which consists of eight members, was performing at the time of the fire and some of them were among the injured, the manager said.
As more details of the incident emerged, the families of the young people who attended the concert -- some of them underage -- appealed for information on social media, sharing phone numbers and personal details in the hope that those still missing can be found.
Serafimova told ABC News that only around half of the victims were carrying identification. Family members of the missing have been asked to come to Kocani hospital to help identify their loved ones, she added.
The blaze began around 2:35 a.m. local time, according to Interior Minister Toshkovski, who said the venue's roof was set on fire by pyrotechnics used by clubbers.
Toshkovski said police arrested one man, but did not give any further details.
"The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones, and friends is immeasurable," wrote North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on X.
"The government is fully mobilized and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy," Mickoski added. "In these times of deep sadness, when our hearts are broken with pain due to this terrible tragedy, I call for unity, solidarity, humanity and responsibility."
Among those offering condolences from abroad was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a post to X, he wrote, "I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery." "On this sad day, Ukraine mourns alongside our [North Macedonian] friends." Edi Rama, the prime minister of Albania, stated that his country was prepared "to provide any assistance that may be required." On X, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that the "terrible tragedy" deeply affected her.