A nightclub fire kills at least 51 years, and wounds 100 in northern Macedonia

The authorities said that a huge fire tore a nightclub in the eastern town of Kokani in northern Macedonia early Sunday, killing 51 people and wounding more than 100 people.

Interior Minister Panch Toshkovsky told reporters that the fire broke out at about 2:35 am during a concert by a group of local pop music in the night pulse club.

He said the fireworks caused the ceiling fire. Videos showed chaos inside the club, as young people run through smoke, as musicians urged people to flee as quickly as possible.

The officials said that the injured were transferred to hospitals throughout the country, including the capital, Scopji, and a lot of severe burns. The voltage was assisted by many volunteer organizations.

The Minister of Health, Arbin Tarafari, said 118 people were transferred to the hospital, adding that he had received offers to help from neighboring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria and Greece.

“All our capabilities have been used, in a maximum effort to save the largest possible lives for young people participating in this tragedy,” Tarafari told reporters.

This is the worst tragedy in the modern memory that determines the non -coastal nation, whose population is less than two million.

“This is a very difficult and sad day for Macedonia,” said Prime Minister Hurcytan Mikusky on Twitter.

“People and the government will do everything at least to relieve their pain and help them in these most difficult moments.”

Family personnel gathered in front of hospitals and Cocani intermediate city offices for the authorities for more information.

The club was in an old building that was previously warehouse for carpets and was working for several years, according to the local media MKD.

The fire caused the collapse of the roof of the monochromatic building in part, and revealed the charred residue of wooden beams and debris. The police cordoned off the site and sent to the evidence collection teams in the state’s involvement in the state.

Toshkovsky said that the authorities will investigate the provisions of the license and safety of the place, adding that the government bears “moral responsibility” to help sue anyone responsible. The police have already arrested one man, but he did not provide details about the person’s participation.

While they woke up to the news of the tragedy overnight, neighbors and leaders of the country from other places in Europe sent condolences.

The head of the European Union’s foreign policy, Kaja Calas, published on X that it was “very sad” and said that the bloc is 27 countries that share the sadness and pain of the Northern Macedonian people. “North Macedonia is a candidate for the European Union’s membership.

Condolences also flowed from politicians throughout the region, including Prime Minister in Albania Idi Rama, European Commissioner for Expansion, Marta Cos, and Ukrainian President Voludmir Zelinsky.

“I hope that those who have had a rapid recovery. Ukraine barks alongside our Macedonian friends (the north) on this sad day.”