At least 50 partygoers are believed to have died following a fire that broke out at a North Macedonian nightclub, state agency MIA reported on Sunday.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday at the Pulse club in Kocani, a town 100 kilometres east of the capital Skopje.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, including firefighters from surrounding towns, where reports suggest more than 1,500 concertgoers had gathered at the venue.
The blaze is reported to have started at approximately 3am in the middle of a performance by hip-hop duo ADN.
Social media footage shows huge flames engulfing the nightclub, with large plumes of smoke billowing into the air.
A video that has emerged online shows the use of pyrotechnics inside the club, with flames visible on the ceiling shortly after their use.
Citing the interior ministry, the MIA news agency said at least 50 people died in ‘a discotheque in Kocani,’ , although that figure is yet to be confirmed.
According to witnesses, several people were crushed to death during a ‘stampede’, Skopje-based radio station Lider reported.
Huge flames engulf the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, in the early hours of Sunday morning
A shot of the burning nightclub, which shows the roof fully ablaze and an inferno raging inside the venue
Video from inside the venue shows the use of pyrotechnics, with flames licking the ceiling (top left of shot) shortly after their deployment
The director of the Kocani hospital, Kristina Serafimova, said 30 people were being treated for injured at the hospiral while another 60 were being transferred to another health facility, news site Klix Vijesti reported.
Video posted by Lider shows the burnt-out remains of the nightclub on Sunday after sunrise, with a gaping hole in the roof clearly visible.
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, called it a ‘difficult and very sad day’ and asked for unity and support for the families of the victims and the injured while the government determines the cause of the fire.
In a post on Facebook, he said: ‘With deep sorrow I received the news of the terrible tragedy in Kochani.
‘This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.
‘In these moments of deep sorrow, our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery, and to the families of the deceased – strength to bear this unimaginable loss.
‘The people and the government will do everything in their power to alleviate their pain a little and help them through these most difficult moments.’
Lider also reported that the Ministry of the Interior is questioning anyone connected to the concert, with Minister of the Interior Pance Toshkovski visiting the scene.
Flames surge under the roof of the Pulse nightclub, where around 1,500 concertgoers had gather to watch a performance by hip-hop duo ADN
The US ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler posted on X: ‘My heart breaks this morning for the many victims in last night’s fire at a nightclub in Kochani’
Emergency services rushed to the scene, including firefighters from surrounding towns, with the local hospital in Kocani reporting overcapacity
The US ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler posted on X: ‘My 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.
‘The loss of so many young lives in one community is a terrible tragedy. I have offered any assistance and the full resources of the U.S. Embassy to the Prime Minister, as well as our prayers for all those who suffer today.’
This is a breaking story, more to follow…