The Minister of the Interior of North Macedonia, Panče Toškovski, confirmed that 51 people died in last night’s fire in the Kočan discotheque.
The deceased are in several hospitals in the country and after identification they will be taken to Skopje for an autopsy, writes Sloboden Pečat.
The minister clarified that the fire broke out around 2:30 in the morning and that it was caused by sparks from pyrotechnics used for lighting effects during the concert of the DNA group.
He confirmed that the organizers were detained, adding that all officials should feel morally responsible for such a tragedy.
Citizens living near the building, which was used as a discotheque, broke the doors and windows to get the young people out.
According to the minister, the fire broke out when the sprinklers on the stage were activated, and sparks hit the ceiling, which was made of easily flammable material. The fire then spread throughout the discotheque.
Citizens are looking for their children, some of whom are minors, by posting photos on social networks. They don’t know in which hospital they are, or in what condition they are.
