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Via: people.
According to PEOPLE, the fire at Pulse Nightclub in North Macedonia resulted in 59 deaths and over 100 injuries. (Source).
At least 59 people lost their lives, and over 100 others were injured in a devastating nightclub fire in North Macedonia.
The blaze erupted at Pulse Club in the eastern town of Kočani around 3:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 16. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed the tragic incident during a press conference, as reported by local outlet MIA News on Facebook.
The fire was sparked by pyrotechnics used during a concert at Pulse Nightclub, where local pop group ADN was performing, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed, according to North Macedonian newspaper Večer and the Associated Press.
The injured victims, many suffering from severe burns, were transported to hospitals across the country, including in the capital, Skopje, AP and regional news agency MIA reported. Some event organizers were among those seriously injured, the minister added.
“Everyone who made a mistake will bear responsibility. Of course, an autopsy will have to be performed to identify the deceased. We have deceased people in several hospitals,” Toshkovski stated during the press conference, per Večer.
Videos shared online show the nightclub engulfed in flames as first responders work to extinguish the fire and rescue victims.
Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed that all injured individuals are receiving medical care but did not disclose their conditions, Večer reported. He added that there is “no need” for foreign assistance at this time.
Authorities have arrested one person and detained others as part of an ongoing investigation into the fire’s cause, according to BBC News, the Associated Press, and Balkan Insight.
“Some of the people involved are currently under legal procedures, while some organizers have been seriously injured,” Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski stated, per Večer. “We are coordinating with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and will provide more information soon. This investigation will proceed step by step.
This tragedy marks one of the worst incidents in North Macedonia in recent years.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski addressed the nation on Instagram, stating, “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia.”
He assured that “the government is fully mobilized and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy.”
Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, expressed her condolences on X, writing, “Deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Kočani, North Macedonia, which claimed the lives of too many young people. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the whole of North Macedonia.”
PEOPLE has reached out to North Macedonia Police for further comments.