At least 50 dead in major nightclub fire

North Macedonia (formerly Macedonia)
Nightclub fire in North Macedonia

Rebecka Rosengart

Updated 12.46 | Published 08.08

 

Pictures on social media show the fire.

A major fire broke out during a concert by a popular pop band in North Macedonia.

At least 50 people have died and many are reported to be injured.

– The number of victims and injured in the fire is being determined, the prosecutor's office said in a statement according to Reuters.

Around 1,500 people are said to have been in the venue where the major fire broke out.

It was during the night, around 03:00, that the fire started at a nightclub in Kocani in North Macedonia, according to several local medier. The group DNA was performing at the nightclub.

The country's interior ministry confirmed on Sunday morning that 51 people had died and over 100 were injured.

Local media images showed the roof of the venue engulfed in flames.

The tragedy could be the worst of its kind in North Macedonia's history, reports TT.

A firefighter examines the area after the nighttime fire at the club. Photo: Boris Grdanoski / AP

Pyrotechnics behind the fire

The cause of the fire is pyrotechnics used on stage, confirmed Interior Minister Pance Toshkovski.

He says several people, including the owner of the Pulse club, have been arrested - and that details of how the accident could have happened will be investigated. He says they will, among other things, investigate what permits the nightclub had to hold concerts - and who issued them.

Toshkovski says the concert was held in a dilapidated venue.

“We are coordinating with the prosecutor's office and the public knows very well what condition the disco was in,” Toshkovski told local media.

In addition to Interior Minister Pance Toshkovski being on site, it was also reported that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickosk was on his way to the club.