At least 59 people have died and over 100 others were injured in a fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia. The blaze occurred on Sunday morning, March 16, due to sparks from pyrotechnics used during a concert.
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski announced the deaths and injuries at a press conference shared online. He stated that those who caused the mistake will be held responsible and an autopsy will be performed to identify the deceased.
The injured were taken to hospitals across the country, with severe burns reported by health officials. Some organizers were seriously injured in the fire.
Police have arrested one man and detained others as they investigate the cause of the blaze. Health Minister Arben Taravari reported that all injured individuals are currently receiving care but did not disclose their conditions.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his condolences, stating the government is fully mobilized to address the situation. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos also offered her sympathies, calling it a “tragic fire” that claimed lives of many young people.
Source: https://people.com/51-people-dead-100-injured-fire-nightclub-macedonia-11697852