Media: Nightclub fire in North Macedonia leaves 59 dead, 155 injured UPDATED / VIDEO

A deadly fire which broke out at a nightclub in eastern North Macedonia has claimed the lives of 59 people and left 155 others injured. 

North Macedonian Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said that 39 of the victims have been identified so far, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The fire, which started around 2:30 am (GMT+1), is believed to have been triggered by pyrotechnics used during the performance, which set the club's roof on fire. 

Chaos ensued as video footage from the scene showed young people desperately fleeing through the smoke, while musicians attempted to guide the crowd to safety. Many of the injured, including those suffering from severe burns, were rushed to hospitals across the country, with the majority being sent to Skopje, the capital. Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed that 118 people have been hospitalized and expressed gratitude for assistance from neighbouring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, and Greece.

"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," Taravari said. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski shared his grief on social media, writing, "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."

Family members of the victims have gathered outside hospitals and government offices in Kocani, approximately 115 kilometres east of Skopje, demanding more information about their loved ones. The fire caused the roof of the single-story nightclub to partially collapse, leaving behind charred wooden beams and debris. Police have cordoned off the site and are collecting evidence, with state prosecutors involved in the investigation.

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At least 50 people are feared dead and dozens more injured following a devastating fire at a nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, in the early hours of March 16 morning. 

Witnesses reported that many people were tragically crushed to death in a stampede as partygoers fled the flames that engulfed the venue, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The fire broke out at Club Pulse, where a concert was being held, with around 1,500 attendees in the crowd. Local media outlets reported that the organisers of the event have been arrested by authorities. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, located in the small town of Kocani, which has a population of just under 25,000. Firefighters, medical teams, and rescue crews from surrounding towns rushed to the scene at approximately 3 am local time (GMT+1).

This tragedy is being described as the worst in the history of Kocani. Local hospitals have been overwhelmed by the influx of casualties, with the medical facilities struggling to manage the number of injured. The public prosecutor's office released a statement saying: "The number of victims and injured in the fire is being determined." A live music performance was taking place when the blaze broke out, and authorities suspect that pyrotechnics used during the concert may have ignited the fire. An investigation is now underway.

A local radio station reported on the horrific events: "A catastrophic and tragic fire occurred last night at around 3 am in the Pulse Disco Club in Kocani. Horrific scenes and a dramatic struggle to rescue the injured and survivors took place in the early morning hours." "The number of victims is still unknown, with reports suggesting figures ranging from 20, 50, to possibly up to 100 victims. 

Fire crews from surrounding towns, as well as vehicles and medical teams, arrived to extinguish the fire and assist the injured," the station added. It is believed that the fire may have been caused by the lighting effects used during the concert by the group DNA. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski was reported to have traveled to Kocani to visit the site and offer support to the affected community.

By Naila Huseynova