The fire was caused by pyrotechnic devices, which ignited the excessively low ceiling of the building, which had been turned into a discotheque, with its sparks.
At least 59 people died in fire in a discotheque in Kočani, and 155 were injured, the Minister of Internal Affairs said North Macedonia Panče Toškovski.
Of the deceased, 35 people have been identified, of which 31 are from Kočani and four people are from Štip, Toškovski said, reports Makfax.
According to the Ministry of Health, 18 hospitalized persons are in critical condition, reported Macedonian Radio and Television.
According to Toskovski, among the dead was a policeman who was checking for the possible discovery of drugs.
A central warrant has been issued against four people, added Toškovski.
"The Minister of the Interior of North Macedonia, Panče Toškovski, officially confirmed that the fire broke out because the pyrotechnic devices, that is, the sprinkler used in the performance of the DNA group, ignited the ceiling of the disco with its sparks, which was made of flammable materials," Miroslava Simonovska, a journalist from the "Sloboden Pechat" daily, told "Vremena".
"Those sprinklers, because the ceiling of the discotheque was low, because it was a house converted into a discotheque, set a part of the ceiling on fire. "Many people do not know if their children are alive and they are waiting in front of the hospitals in Skopje, Kočani and Štip", says Simonovska.
"Free Seal" also published a video showing the moment when the fire broke out:
Simonovska states that Toškovski said that the bodies of all the victims will be submitted for autopsy, after which their identification will follow.
He adds that there are 30 injured in the hospital in Kočani, and that there are around 60 injured in the hospital in Štip.
"No one is saying what types of injuries there are. The police detained all the organizers of the concert, and journalists in North Macedonia insist that the police also investigate the municipal authorities who allowed such a facility to be used as a discotheque. It is not known whether the facility had a license, but we know that it looks like a shed," says Simonovska.
She states that the requests of parents who post photos and phone numbers of their children, asking for any information, are spreading massively on social networks in North Macedonia.
Tragic disaster in North Macedonia — dozens of young people burned alive in a nightclub fire
A fire broke out at a nightclub in the city of Kočani. At least 50 people have died, most likely very young.
The government of North Macedonia will declare seven days of mourning on Sunday due to the tragedy at the discotheque in Kočani, the state agency MIA reported.
The decision on the seven-day mourning due to the accident at the discotheque in Kočani will be made at the meeting of the Government of North Macedonia, which will be held at 16 pm.
"At today's meeting, the government will also make a decision on an urgent and extraordinary review of all night clubs, discotheques and restaurants that organize parties," it is specified.
Prime Minister Mickoski called on the authorities to take all necessary measures
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said that the Government of North Macedonia is mobilized and called on all competent institutions to take all necessary measures to care for and help the injured.
"This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia." The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable," Mickoski posted on the X social network.
Mickoski wished the injured a speedy recovery, and the families of the deceased the strength to bear this unimaginable loss.
"The people and the government will do everything in their power to alleviate their pain at least a little and help them in these most difficult moments", said the prime minister and called on all competent institutions - health, police, local authorities - to take immediate measures to help the injured and support the bereaved families.
"The government is fully mobilized and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy," Mickoski said.
Ministry of Defense of Serbia: 14 doctors were sent to Kočani, part of the injured will be treated in Niš
The Ministry of Defense announced that 14 doctors and medical personnel and five ambulances were urgently sent to assist the injured in last night's accident in Kočani.
"Part of the injured citizens of North Macedonia will be cared for in the Nis Military Hospital, while those whose condition requires more serious treatment will be transported to the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade." The authorities of the neighboring country were also offered additional medical and logistical assistance in connection with their care," the Ministry announced.
Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić said that members of the Serbian military medical service will do everything to help the injured.
"The least we can do in this situation is to provide help to the fraternal Macedonian people and take care of the young people who found themselves in that horror." "Our military doctors will do absolutely everything to preserve their health and return them to their families as soon as possible," said Minister Gašić.
Day of Mourning in Serbia
The Government of Serbia declared Tuesday, March 18, the Day of Mourning in Serbia due to the tragedy in North Macedonia, at the proposal of the President Aleksandar Vučić.
Retired Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and President Vučić discussed the tragedy in Kočani on Sunday, after which it was decided that March 18 will be the Day of Mourning in Serbia, according to the announcement of the Government of Serbia.
Vučić sent condolences
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, sent his condolences on the occasion of the tragedy in Kočani.
"It was with great sadness that I received the news about the terrible tragedy that befell North Macedonia." I express my deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the fire at the discotheque in Kočani, as well as solidarity with the people of North Macedonia in these difficult times.
Our thoughts are with everyone who has lost their loved ones and with those who are fighting for their lives. "Serbia, along with its friends, is always ready to provide all the necessary help, in accordance with its capabilities," reads the post on the X network.
It is with great sadness that I received the news of the terrible tragedy that has befallen North Macedonia. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the fire at the disco in Kočani, as well as my solidarity with the people of North Macedonia in these difficult times.
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