A devastating nightclub fire in North Macedonia has been declared one of the country’s worst tragedies in recent memory as over 50 people have died and more than 100 people have been injured.
The Pulse nightclub was engulfed with flames at 2:35am on Sunday morning in Kočani, around 100km east from the capital city of Skopje.
Police have arrested 20 people in connection with the incident, which includes government officials and the manager of the venue, which did not have a valid licence.
Footage on social media showed chaos inside the club as the band onstage urged people to get out as quickly as possible. External footage of the venue showed the growing blaze spreading to the roof.
Local authorities are investigating the venue’s licensing and safety provisions, as the government has insisted on its “moral responsibility” to help prosecute anyone responsible for the blaze.
Where did the fire take place?
The fire took place in the Pulse nightclub, an old building that was previously a carpet warehouse and had been running for several years, according to local media MKD.
How many people were at the club?
Reports suggest 1,500 people were in the venue including minors, where local hip-hop group DNK were performing.
“Fire broke out, everyone started screaming and shouting: ‘Get out, get out’,” Marija Taseva, 22, told Reuters.
As she tried to escape, Taseva fell to the ground and people trod on her, injuring her face. In the rush, she lost contact with her sister, who did not make it out. “My sister died,” Taseva said, breaking into tears.
What caused the fire?
Initial reports suggest the fire started from sparks caused by pyrotechnic devices at the gig, said interior minister Panche Toshkovski.
He told a press conference that sparks hit the ceiling, which was made of highly flammable material.
Footage shows a local pop group playing on stage when two flares went off and the sparks led to the blaze rapidly spreading throughout the venue.
How many casualties?
Mr Toshkovski confirmed that 59 people had been killed in the fire, with over 100 people injured.
Health minister Arben Taravari said 118 people have been hospitalised. More than 20 of the injured and three of those killed were aged under 18, he said.
“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.”
Local media has reported 90 admissions to the local hospital in Kočani , where many were suffering from severe burns.
27 people were taken to Skopje City Hospital with severe burns and a further 23 were treated at the Clinical Centre. It is understood that minors were injured in the blaze.
Some patients were transferred to neighbouring Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece for treatment, authorities from those countries said.
Has anyone been arrested?
Authorities arrested about 20 people in connection with the fire, including government officials and the manager of the “Pulse” nightclub, which did not have a valid licence, Interior Minister Pance Toskovski told a press conference.
The country’s public prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski said five prosecutors would investigate the incident. “At the moment, orders have been issued to collect evidence” and people were being interviewed, Kocevski said, without elaborating.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the licence was issued illegally by the economy ministry and promised those responsible would face justice. “Regardless of who they are, from which institution, from what level, from which party and profession,” Mickoski said. He declared seven days of national mourning.
Prime minister Hristijan Mickoski said: “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.
“In these moments of deep sorrow, our thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery, and the families of the deceased – strength to endure this unimaginable loss.
“The people and the government will do everything in their power to at least alleviate their pain a little and help them in these most difficult moments.”
He called on health services, police and local authorities to take “urgent measures” to help the injured and support affected families.
“The Government is fully mobilized and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy.
“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.”
What have world leaders said?
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day.”
Albania prime minister Edi Rama said: “With a deep sense of sorrow, I extend my condolences to the brothers and sisters of North Macedonia for the great tragedy in Kočani.
“I am at a loss for words and pray for the recovery of the injured and for the families of the victims to find the strength to endure their unimaginable loss.”
Source: independent.co.uk
