When a tragedy like the one in Kochani happens, it is more than clear that the system is not functioning and it must be reformed. How are these people who are part of this system going to change it? This is impossible.
This was what the former head of the Civil Democratic Union in North Macedonia, Petar Kolev, said to FOCUS.
Kolev recalled the tragic cases of burned patients in the hospital in Tetovo and the burned bus with Macedonian tourists in Bulgaria, which was found to have problems with licenses and technical inspections. No one was punished.
"There are hundreds of cases of such absolute irresponsibility. What I see at the moment seems to be some kind of crisis PR. I don't see a systematic approach. Instead of the Minister of the Interior resigning, taking responsibility and giving a chance to a real investigation, he has become some kind of spokesperson. I didn't hear what was happening with the city prosecutor in Kocani, who pretended that such a nightclub didn't exist. I didn't hear what was happening with the police officers who were on site at that disco. This means that these people were not there to carry out any checks and fight crime, but most likely to patronize it," he commented.
He expressed hope that civil society in Macedonia is starting to wake up.
"I think that many citizens are deeply aware that this system is starting to kill their children. I sincerely hope that they will not stop their energy and protests until they push this system and build an independent state with a clear vision for its future. I sincerely hope that this tragedy will be a catalyst for the process of change, that everyone realizes what happened, that it cannot go on like this anymore and that this should be the last such tragedy," said Petar Kolev.
The Republic of North Macedonia sent 59 young people after the fire at a disco in Kochani. Six ambulances and the military “Spartan” were sent to help the victims. The first medics who responded to the appeal for help were Dr. Tanya Alekova and Dr. Rumen Gotsev from “Emergency Medical Service” -Sofia.
“We still can't shake off what we saw. Time will have to pass”. This was shared with NOVA by doctors who encounter very difficult medical and life situations in their daily lives. Dr. Alekova said that in her thoughts and even in her dreams she often sees the scary pictures she encountered in Macedonia.
Dr. Gotsev has worked in ISUL for many years. After her retirement, she has not gotten out of the ambulance. She explains it with love for her work and the action in Emergency Care. “Everything was very well organized from the very beginning. They were directing us kilometers from the clinic. Everyone knew their turn”, he shared about the Macedonians rushing to help.
They arrived in 3 hours with an escort of a police patrol car. “I was impressed by the silence in Skopje. It was as if an apocalypse had occurred. There were no people on the streets”, says Dr. Alekova. In their ambulance, they were transporting a 16-year-old girl in very serious condition. “She had a high degree of burns on her face and upper limbs. She was confused, but at times she tried to speak and asked how her friends who were with her were doing”, the doctor added. The young girl is currently developing secondary infections and remains in serious condition, the specialist explained. Dr. Alekova spoke to the victim's mother.
The only vocalist of the band DNA, during whose concert the club was set on fire, died on the spot. However, a musician was transported to a Plovdiv hospital. He has burns on his face, upper limbs and back. “They told me that while he was singing, the use of pyrotechnics in the room made a very bad impression on him”, said Dr. Gotsev. “He grabbed a fire extinguisher and started to put out the fire, but the fire spread from the other end. Everyone started to run. He saw the whole horror firsthand – burning and dying young people, among whom he had many friends”, added the doctor. He revealed that he deliberately let the performer tell about the experience so that he could relive it.
The emergency doctor said that adrenaline keeps him and his colleagues going during crisis situations. “We don't have time for sentiment and ceremony. Usually the emotions come the next day”, Dr. Gotsev does not hide. ”I have seen many things, but the fire in Kochani is the most tragic incident I have ever witnessed”, Dr. Alekova is categorical.