At least 59 people have died and around 155 others were injured after a fire crossed a nightclub in Macedonia del Norte, with the authorities blaming pyrotechnics for the fire.
The incident occurred in the nightclub click on the city of Kochani, east of the capital of Skopje, where hundreds had gathered to see the DNK local music duo.
According to CNN, the reports revealed that the artists were among those who lost their lives in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Dr. Kristina Serafimova, head of the Kochani General Hospital, told MIA of the state media that the victims were between 16 and 24 years old. He said that most deaths occurred due to a crush of the crowd during panic.
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski, speaking at a press conference on Sunday, said the fire was caused by scenic effects that intensified rapidly.
“The fire was caused by the pyrotechnics used for the lighting effects in the concert and activated the sprinklers,” he said. “Most likely, the sparks captured a part of the roof that was made of flammable material, which caused the fire to spread to the entire disco in a short period of time, creating thick smoke.”
The images inside the nightclub show pyrotechnic sparks shooting on stage while the band played.
Among the survivors was Marija Taseva, 22, who described the chaos to the local television station Kanal 5. According to Reuters, “everyone tried to save themselves,” and added that he had been separated from his sister in the stampede. “We can't find her in any hospital,” he said.
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The country's Ministry of Health said that at least 152 injured victims were taken to hospitals in Macedonia del Norte, with dozens treated for second degree burns in their hands and faces. Vlatko Zahariev, head of the Shtip hospital, confirmed the seriousness of the injuries, Mia said.
Twenty -seven of the most severely injured victims will be taken abroad for additional treatment, added the Ministry of Health.
Among the dead was the footballer Andrej Lazarov, 25, his FC Shkupi club announced on an Instagram post.
The authorities have arrested the owner of the nightclub, while another four are being sought in relation to the disaster. Justice Minister Igor Filkov said that all those involved will be responsible.
The tragedy is among the worst fires of the nightclub in recent years. Similar disasters occurred in Romania in 2015, where 64 people died, and in Brazil in 2013, where more than 240 lives were lost; Both incidents were also linked to pyrotechnics.
In response to Sunday's fire, the Northern Macedonia government is expected to declare a week of national mourning.
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