Skopje.- Dozens of people died and a hundred were injured in a fire happened in a nightclub in the Macedonian town of Kocani, several local media outlets reported, citing medical and police sources.
According to these sources, The fire broke out around 3:00 a.m. (02.00 GMT) during a concert at the Pulse nightclub, where there were about 1,500 people, mostly young people, to attend a concert by the local band DNK.
Some local media outlets claim the death toll exceeds 50, although there is no official data yet.
He Ministry of the Interior of North Macedonia has reportedly arrested several people linked in some way to the organization of the event in Kocani, which is located about 100 kilometers east of the capital Skopje.
The news portal mk.mk reports that initial reports indicate the fire was caused by the improper use of fireworks inside the venue.
After the fire started, panic and a stampede broke out in the nightclub. Many of the victims died of smoke suffocation, while others were burned to death by the flames.
Around thirty injured people were taken to hospitals in Skopje, which is an hour's drive away.
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Many parents, distraught over what happened, are searching for their children on social media, posting photos and asking for information about whether anyone has seen them at a clinic where the injured were sent.
He Nezavisen newspaper The online edition reports that the Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of the Interior have simply stated that they are continuing to work at the accident site and are identifying the victims.
Among the injured are believed to be some members of the band that performed at the nightclub.
Mobile phone videos of the fire breaking out inside the nightclub have been broadcast on social media and several local television channels.
He Macedonian Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, announced that he will postpone a business trip scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, to Podgorica (Montenegro).
Mickoski will also request the postponement of the Western Balkan leaders' summit, scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday in Podgorica, his office in Skopje reported.
