A devastating fire erupted in a nightclub in the eastern North Macedonian city of Kočani, killing at least 50 people, according to authorities cited by MIA news agency.
The exact number of injured victims remains unknown, but several have been transferred to hospitals in Štip and Skopje.
Cause of the Fire Still Unknown
Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the fire and how it spread. However, local media suggest it may have been ignited by pyrotechnics used during a performance by the Macedonian band DNA. The venue was reportedly crowded when the fire broke out.
Scenes of Chaos and Desperation
Emergency firefighters, ambulances, and police rushed to the scene, but many families remain desperate for information about their loved ones.
“I’m looking for my niece. They won’t let us in, and we don’t know where she is. Her phone is ringing, but she’s not answering,” one woman told Radio Free Europe.
Government Response
Crisis Management Center Director Stojanče Angelov, Defense Minister Panče Toškovski, and Public Security Bureau Director Aleksandar Janev have arrived in Kočani. Authorities are expected to issue a formal statement later today.
