A devastating fire at a nightclub in Kocani has claimed the lives of at least 59 individuals, sparking outrage and demands for accountability as families search for answers.
Tragedy Strikes: North Macedonia Bids Farewell to Nightclub Victims
Tragedy Strikes: North Macedonia Bids Farewell to Nightclub Victims
North Macedonia grapples with grief as families mourn lives lost in nightclub fire disaster.
In the wake of a horrific nightclub fire in Kocani, North Macedonia, the nation is in mourning as it grapples with the loss of at least 59 lives. The catastrophe unfolded Saturday night during a concert by the local hip-hop duo DNK, when flames erupted from pyrotechnic devices igniting the ceiling of the venue, leading to chaos and tragedy.
Survivors describe scenes of panic as patrons, numbering around 500, attempted to escape through a single exit, resulting in a stampede. Marija Taseva, a 19-year-old survivor, described the harrowing experience of being trampled as she desperately sought safety while losing her sister in the process. “I was saved and she wasn’t,” she mournfully relayed.
Authorities have detained 15 individuals, including the nightclub’s owner, amidst allegations of bribery and corruption tied to the event’s operations. This establishment, previously a carpet warehouse, reportedly lacked the necessary permits to function as a nightclub.
The aftermath showed widespread anguish, particularly for the young victims, many of whom were in their teens or early twenties. Local health officials revealed that injuries sustained by survivors included severe burns and carbon monoxide poisoning, with many requiring urgent care in specialty hospitals across neighboring countries.
Public prosecutor’s office spokesman Biljana Arsovska reported significant irregularities in the nightclub's safety systems, and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova has called for accountability, emphasizing that "nothing is worthier than human life, specifically young life." Outraged citizens, such as Dragi Stojanov, who lost his only child, shared their devastation, stating, "I lost everything. The whole of Europe should know."
In response, the government declared seven days of national mourning, with ongoing investigations aimed at ensuring justice for the victims and their families. The nation watches closely as it awaits answers to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.
Survivors describe scenes of panic as patrons, numbering around 500, attempted to escape through a single exit, resulting in a stampede. Marija Taseva, a 19-year-old survivor, described the harrowing experience of being trampled as she desperately sought safety while losing her sister in the process. “I was saved and she wasn’t,” she mournfully relayed.
Authorities have detained 15 individuals, including the nightclub’s owner, amidst allegations of bribery and corruption tied to the event’s operations. This establishment, previously a carpet warehouse, reportedly lacked the necessary permits to function as a nightclub.
The aftermath showed widespread anguish, particularly for the young victims, many of whom were in their teens or early twenties. Local health officials revealed that injuries sustained by survivors included severe burns and carbon monoxide poisoning, with many requiring urgent care in specialty hospitals across neighboring countries.
Public prosecutor’s office spokesman Biljana Arsovska reported significant irregularities in the nightclub's safety systems, and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova has called for accountability, emphasizing that "nothing is worthier than human life, specifically young life." Outraged citizens, such as Dragi Stojanov, who lost his only child, shared their devastation, stating, "I lost everything. The whole of Europe should know."
In response, the government declared seven days of national mourning, with ongoing investigations aimed at ensuring justice for the victims and their families. The nation watches closely as it awaits answers to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.
