A massive fire in a nightclub in North Macedonia’s eastern town of Kocani has killed 51 people and injured about 100 others.
Interior minister Panche Toshkovski said the blaze began at about 2.35am local time on Sunday during a concert by a local pop group. He said the young clubgoers used pyrotechnics that caused the roof to catch fire.
Video of the incident shared on social media shows chaos inside the club, with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible.
Rescue workers outside the club following the fire (Kocani TV/AP)
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski 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.
“The people and the government will do everything in their power to at least slightly alleviate their pain and help them in these most difficult moments.”
Family members have gathered in front of hospitals and Kocani’s city offices begging authorities for more information.
Mr Toshkovski said police have arrested one man but he did not provide details on the person’s alleged involvement.