At least 51 people are reported to have died in a fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia.
The blaze broke out while a local pop band was performing at Pulse in the town of Kocani at around 2.35am on Sunday, interior minister Panche Toshkovski told a news conference.
Fireworks were reportedly set off inside the venue, causing the roof to catch fire, according to local media.
Video from the event shows the band playing on stage when two flares go off either side of them and shoot towards the ceiling.
Although the public prosecutor’s office said the “number of victims and injured in the fire is being determined” – 100 people are thought to have been injured, Mr Toshkovski said.
The roof of the nightclub was badly damaged in the fire. Pic: Reuters
They are being treated at Kocani General Hospital, where relatives have gathered to await more information, newspaper Nova Makedonija said.
The country’s prime minister Hristijan Mickoski is travelling to the scene, and wrote on X: “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.”
He promised the government would do “everything in their power to at least slightly alleviate their pain”.
Fireworks go off during a performance in a club. Pic: Reuters
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Emergency services and locals gather at the scene in Kocani on Sunday. Pic: Reuters
The US ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler also posted on X, saying her “heart breaks this morning for the many victims in last night’s fire at a nightclub in Kochani”.
“Our deepest condolences go to the victims and their loved ones at this awful time, and wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured,” she said.
