A devastating fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia has claimed at least 51 lives and left more than 100 injured, officials confirmed.
The blaze erupted around 02:30 local time (01:30 GMT) at the Pulse Club in Kocani, a town approximately 100 km (60 miles) east of the capital, Skopje. Videos circulating on social media show the venue engulfed in flames.
An estimated 1,500 people were inside the club attending a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop duo in the country.
According to Interior Minister Pance Toskovski, preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was triggered by sparks from pyrotechnic devices. He explained that the sparks ignited a highly flammable ceiling material, causing the flames to spread rapidly. Several arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
Footage from the scene captures the moment flares were set off on stage, with sparks catching the ceiling and igniting a fast-moving inferno.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the tragedy as a “difficult and very sad day” for the nation. In a Facebook statement, he assured citizens that the government is “fully mobilized” to manage the aftermath and investigate the cause.
Hospitals in Kocani initially treated 90 victims, many with severe burns. Some of the injured have been transferred to medical facilities in Skopje for further care.
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the disaster as the nation mourns the loss of so many young lives.
SOURCE: BBC.COM
