North Macedonia nightclub horror as at least 59 died after fire and ‘stampede’ | World | News

Four arrest warrants have been issued after a fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia killed at least 59 people and injured over 100, authorities said. The country’s interior ministry said the blaze broke at Pulse nightclub in Kocani in the early hours of Sunday morning. As many as 1,500 were said to have been in attendance at a concert by hip-hop duo ADN, when the fire started at roughly 3am local time.

Pyrotechnic devices and fireworks may have ignited the fire, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told a news conference. Dramatic social media footage showed sparks flying from the stage before catching on the ceiling and spreading, which eventually resulted in dark clouds of smoke billowing into the sky against the blaze.

Further footage on social media showed emergency services rushing to the scene, with fire crews entering the building as the blaze calmed down while locals stood outside in shock.

According to The Mirror, a local radio station reported: “Horrific scenes and a dramatic struggle to rescue the injured and survivors took place in the early morning hours.

“Fire crews from all surrounding towns, as well as vehicles and medical teams, arrived to extinguish the fire and rescue the young people.”

The news outlet also reported the claim that witnesses said several people were crushed to death as a “stampede” formed when they tried to escape.

Health Minister Arben Taravari added that 118 people had been taken to hospital and neighbouring countries had offered medical assistance.

He said: “All our capabilities have been put to use, in a maximum effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy.”

Some of the injured were being treated at Kocani General Hospital, according to local outlet Nova Makedonija. Broadcaster MRT added that 27 people are at Skopje City Hospital with severe burns, while 23 others were at the Clinical Centre.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski will reportedly travel to the scene, roughly 60 miles from the capital, Skopje. He 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.”