Fifty-nine people were killed and more than 100 injured after a fire broke out in a nightclub before dawn Sunday morning in the North Macedonian town of Kočani, according to Interior Minister Pance Toskovski.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which was triggered by “pyrotechnic devices” used during a concert.
“Sparks caused fire … and fire spread through the discotheque,” Toskovski said.
The blaze broke out at about 3 a.m. in Kočani, a town about 60 miles from the capital, Skopje.
A video from the event, verified by Reuters, shows a band performing onstage with two flares shooting white sparks into the air. The sparks ignite the ceiling above the band, who appear to step back just before the video cuts off.
Dragi Stojanov’s only child, Tomce Stojanov, 21, was among those killed by the fire.
“What am I supposed to do?” he asked, speaking with The Associated Press. “One hundred and fifty souls. One hundred and fifty families have been devastated. What is left for me in life? I don’t need my life anymore. This was my only child.”
TV video from a local broadcaster showed firefighters extinguishing the smoldering entrance of the nightclub, named Pulse, which was left charred by the blaze.
“They can’t even get the bodies out,” added Stojanov. “They can’t pull them out, not even with helicopters, special forces, they can’t pull them out.”
According to North Macedonia’s MRT public broadcaster, 27 people with severe burns were hospitalized at Skopje City Hospital, while 23 more were being treated at the clinical center. Among the injured were minors, the report said.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in a post on Facebook: “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia! The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.”
“I call on all competent institutions — health services, relevant authorities — to take urgent measures to assist the injured and support the families of the families.”
