Nightclub fire kills at least 51, injures 100 in North Macedonia
Earlier on Sunday, a large-scale fire broke out in a nightclub in Kokani, a small town in eastern North Macedonia, killing 51 people and injuring more than 100 people.
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told reporters that a fire broke out on both sides at a concert at a local pop concert.
He said the fireworks caught fire on the roof. The video shows chaos inside the club, with young people running in the smoke as musicians urge people to escape as soon as possible.
Officials said the injured have been taken to hospitals across the country, including in the capital Skopje, where many suffered severe burns. Several volunteer organizations are assisting in the efforts.
Health Minister Arben Taravari said 118 people had been hospitalized, adding that he had received assistance from neighboring countries including Albania, Bulgaria and Greece.
Boris Grdanoski / AP 
“All our abilities have been made to save as many lives as possible for young people in this tragedy,” Taravari told reporters.
This is the worst tragedy in recent memory, which falls in the landlocked country with a population of less than 2 million.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote on Twitter: “It has been a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. Losing so much of a young life is irreparable, and the pain of family, family and friends is immeasurable.”
“The people and governments will do their best to at least alleviate their suffering and help them in these most difficult times.”
Family members gathered in front of the hospital, and the Kokani City office begged authorities for more information.
According to local media MKD, the club is in an old building that was formerly a carpet warehouse and has been in operation for several years.
The fire caused the roof of the single-story building to collapse, revealing the burnt remains of wooden beams and debris. Police blocked the site and sent out an evidence-based collection team in an operation involving state prosecutors.
Toshkovski said authorities will investigate the licensing and safety regulations of the site, adding that the government has a “ethical responsibility” to help prosecute anyone responsible. Police have arrested a man, but he has not provided details about the person’s involvement.
As they awaken the news of the tragedy all night, the country’s direct neighbors and leaders from further parts of Europe condolences.
Kaja Kallas, the head of foreign policy at the EU, posted on X that she was “deeply sad” and said the G27 “shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia”. North Macedonia is a candidate for EU membership.
Politicians in the region also provided sympathy to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the European Enlarged Commission, Marta Kos and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy wrote on X: “I hope those injured will recover quickly. Ukraine mourns with our Macedonian friends in the north on this tragic day.”
