North Macedonia fire: Everything we know about nightclub blaze in Kocani town
The Pulse nightclub is currently under investigation for licensing and safety provisions
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 questioned 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?
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said preliminary investigations revealed the number of people in the club was likely at least twice its official capacity of 250 people.
"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 hip-hop group DNK 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 150 people injured.
Among the dead are several members of the band, local media reported, including lead singer Andrej Gjorgievski.
Health minister Arben Taravari said 115 people have been taken to hospital in North Macedonia, with burns specialists from as far afield as Israel expected to arrive in the country on Monday to assist.
Another 47 patients have been transported to neighbouring countries for treatment, Mr Taravari said.
Dozens of seriously injured patients, including critically injured teens and young adults, were transferred to neighbouring Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, Croatia and Greece for treatment, authorities from those countries said.
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.”
Authorities expect the death toll to rise given the severity of some of the injuries.
Has anyone been arrested?
Authorities have arrested 20 people in connection with the fire, including government officials and the nightclub's manager.
The "Pulse" nightclub, which local media reports described as a former carpet warehouse, had only two fire extinguishers and no fire alarm, Kocevski said. The ceiling was made of flammable materials and the plasterboard walls were not fire resistant.
"It did not have two exit doors, but only one single improvised metal door at the back of the building, which was locked and without a handle on the inside," North Macedonia's state prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski said late on Sunday.
Mr Kocevski said his office was working to determine the criminal liability of a number of people for "serious offences against public security" and other crimes.
"The individuals acted contrary to the regulations and technical rules of the protection measures and thereby caused a danger to the life and work of people on a large scale," he said.
Mr Kocevski said five prosecutors would investigate the incident. "At the moment, orders have been issued to collect evidence" and people were being interviewed.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the licence for the nightclub 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," Mr Mickoski said. He declared seven days of national mourning.
What has North Macedonia’s prime minister said?
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.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen shared her “deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected”.
“I grieve the tragic loss of life in the fire in Kocani,” she said.
Pope Francis, who remains in hospital with pneumonia, expressed his “profound condolences” through Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
Albania’s 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.”