Firefighters will inspect nightclubs on Sunday after a massive fire in the town of Kokhani in North Macedonia. Boris Grdanoski/AP Hide Caption
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Boris Grdanoski/AP
Cochan, North Macedonia – Running through nightclubs in Cochan, eastern town of North Macedonia, killed 59 people and injured 155 people on Sunday, authorities said.
Home Minister Pance Tosskowsky told reporters. He said 39 deaths have been identified so far.
He said that following the initial review it is likely that the fireworks burned the roof. The video showed confusion within the club, and the youngsters ran through the smoke as musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible.
When relatives gathered outside the hospital to await news, Kokhani resident Draghi Stoyanov was informed that his 21-year-old son Tomse had died in the fire.
“He was my only child. I don’t need my life anymore,” he said. “150 families are in ruins.”
Officials said the injured were taken to hospitals across the country, including the capital Skopje. This effort was supported by multiple volunteer organizations.
Health Minister Aven Tarabari added that 118 people have been hospitalized and received offers of support from neighboring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia.
“All of our capabilities are being used in our utmost effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy,” Tarabari told reporters that sometimes it appears to be visibly shaking.
This is the worst tragedy in recent memory of landlocked countries with a population of less than 2 million.
President Goldana Siljanovska Davkova visited the burn victims at a hospital in Skopje and spoke to parents waiting outside the building.
“It’s terrible… I can’t believe how this happened,” she said, her voice halting with emotion. “We must give these young people the courage to continue.”
In an online post, Prime Minister Fristijan Mikoski wrote: “This is a difficult and sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable and the pain of our families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.”
Family members gathered in front of the hospital and city offices in Kokhani, about 115 kilometers (72 miles) east of Skopje, begging authorities for details.
The club is located in an old building that was previously a carpet warehouse and has been running for several years according to local media MKD.
The fire partially collapsed the roof of the single-storey building, revealing burnt ruins of wooden beams and debris. Police blocked the site and sent evidence to collect teams in businesses that also involve state prosecutors.
State prosecutor Ljubco Kocevski said that while some people have been questioned by police, they did not give further details and emphasized that the cause of the flames is still under investigation.
An interior ministry official said the authorities investigated the venue’s license and safety regulations and added that the government has “moral responsibility” to indict the responsible person. Police have already arrested one man, but he has not provided details about his involvement.
When they woke up to the news of the tragedy overnight, the neighbours and leaders of the country from even further afield in Europe expressed their appreciation for sadness.
Kaja Karas, head of foreign policy for the European Union, posted to X that he was “deeply saddened,” saying that the bloc of 27 countries “shares the sadness and pain of the people of North Macedonia.” North Macedonia is a candidate for EU membership.
He also expressed his sadness from politicians across the region, including Albanian Prime Minister Eddie Rama, European Expansion Commissioner, Malta Kos and Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky.
“I hope that those who have been injured want a quick recovery. Ukraine is grieving with their (north) Macedonian friends on this sad day,” Zelenskyy wrote in X.
Fatal fires at nightclubs are often caused, including those at the Collective Club in Bucharest, Romania, where 64 people died in 2015.
