The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia announced today a 7-day mourning throughout the country due to the fire in Kochani last night. This was reported in a press release by the country's government, also sent to BTA.
A total of 59 people died and 155 were injured last night at the "Pulse" disco in Kochani in a fire that broke out during a concert by the popular band "DNA". According to initial reports, the fire was caused by sparks from pyrotechnics used for lighting effects at the concert.
Some of the injured were transported to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Serbia for treatment. Eight of them were transported by a "Spartan" plane to Sofia.
The press release states that the authorities in the country are working to collect material evidence to clarify the case and that anyone involved in the tragic incident and who contributed to the endangerment of human life will be held accountable.
The government of North Macedonia informed that the State Market Inspectorate in the country has been ordered to carry out an extraordinary inspection of all entertainment establishments such as cabarets, nightclubs, discos and outdoor discos. The inspection is required to submit information to the government on whether they meet legal requirements and standards.
The government has also decided to activate the mechanism for receiving international assistance, the press release also says.
"We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, in this tragic case there are no words that can ease the pain of the irreparable loss", the government of North Macedonia wrote.
The press release added that the entire health and medical team in all medical and health facilities in the country is available and provides medical care for the speedy recovery of the victims of the fire.
The government also requested that the case not be politicized.
"No information will be hidden from the public", the government press release states at the end.
According to information from the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia, quoted by the MIA agency, 250 tickets were sold for the concert, but there were about 500 people in the disco.
Interior Minister Pance Toshkovski announced at a press conference earlier today that all the bodies of the deceased had been removed from the scene of the fire.
According to the MIA agency, the bodies of the deceased will be sent for forensic examination in Skopje.
Toshkovski said that over 20 people are suspected in the case, FOCUS reported.
"Around 15 people are at the police station. Some of the suspects have died according to the suspicions we have so far. Some are in hospital. 4 people are in hospital, 2 from the gang, the son of the disco owner and the manager of the company. Some of the detainees who are in the police station are directly responsible for this event, according to the evidence. A former state secretary of the Ministry of Economy, a head of a sector in the same ministry, a former director of the "Protection and Rescue" directorate, and 3 employees of the directorate were detained. Some of the detainees are people who were organizers of the event, others are security guards, and others are engaged in other activities. "This company does not have a legal license to operate," the minister said.
Three minors died and over 20 minors were injured.
22 people are in critical condition, the minister said.