Fifty-nine people were killed in an accident at a disco in Kočani, North Macedonia, according to the latest data from health authorities.
The country's Interior Minister, Panče Toškovski, said that 35 victims had been identified. Among the dead, he said, was a police officer in charge of drug control at a disco.
"Of those identified, 31 people are from Kočani and four from Štip. The number of injured is 155, and they are being treated in several hospitals across the country," said Toškovski..
The accident occurred at the "Puls" discotheque in that city, where the band "DNK" was performing.
Among the dead, according to media reports, were three members of the band DNK - vocalist Andrej Đorđieski, the band's photographer Aleksandar Efremov, and backing vocalist Sara Projkovska, Beta reports. Several media outlets report that Đorđieski succumbed to his injuries, suffering severe burns and trying to help guests when the fire broke out.
Aleksandar Karadakoski, the owner of the company "MMMM Kafe DOOEL Kočani", which operated the discotheque "Puls", was detained, Telma announced, as reported by "Sloboden Pečat".
The company, it added, had a blocked bank account and was founded on May 29, 2020. Karadakoski is also the company's director. According to the latest data, the company ended 2023 with a deficit of around 3.000 euros.
North Macedonia Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated today that a discotheque in Kočani operated with a fake license issued by the previous government with a bribe.
"I currently have information that the facility where the accident occurred has a forged license that was issued in March 2024 with a bribe. It is a document for the operation of a cabaret that was issued illegally with the original seal of the Ministry of Economy and the signatures of the then officials in that ministry," Mickoski said at a press conference at the government of North Macedonia.
Toskovski earlier said at a press conference that 22 people in critical condition were being transported to Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece.
He said that so far more than 25 injured minors and three deceased minors have been identified, that "according to initial information, there were around 500 people in the disco, and that around 250 tickets were sold," Beta reports.
Toškovski also said that the discotheque was operating with a forged license, reports "Sloboden Pečat".
"I would not like to reveal more details because we are still in a very early stage of this investigation. But I can say that this license, like many other things in the past in this country, is connected to bribery and corruption. And I want to tell the Macedonian public that, unlike before, in this case there are specific names and surnames of the persons involved in the illegal issuance of licenses and they will be held accountable," said Toskovski.
The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the prosecutor's office, has more than 20 suspects in this incident so far, of whom about 15 are in the police station, the minister said.
"Around 15 (suspected) people are at the police station. Some of those suspected of causing this criminal event have died, according to the suspicions we have so far, and some are in the hospital. We currently have four people secured in the hospital - two members of the band (DNK), the son of the disco owner and the manager of the legal entity that was the disco manager," Toškovski told reporters in Štip, as reported by Beta.
According to him, "some of the detained persons currently at the police station are people who are directly responsible for the disco fire, according to the evidence collected so far."
"One person who organized the event and whom we suspect is one of those directly responsible has been detained. The former state secretary at the Ministry of Economy, the former head of a sector at the Ministry of Economy, the former director of the Protection and Rescue Directorate and three employees of that directorate have also been detained," said Toškovski.
Some of those detained in Kočani are people who organized the event, some involved in security and other activities that took place that evening.
The Prime Minister of North Macedonia said that the first steps were taken immediately to deal with the consequences and announced that all aspects and all problems that led to this tragedy will be examined and investigated by the institutions without prejudice to anyone.
"First of all, there must be criminal liability for everyone involved, regardless of who they are, what institution they are from, at what level, what party, what profession they are. I am determined and I will act decisively. There will be decisive steps and decisions, there will be steps that the public is not used to, but changes start with ourselves," said Mickoski.
He added that he would like to express his great gratitude to the doctors and all medical personnel in North Macedonia who selflessly participated in providing assistance to the victims, as well as his gratitude to all friends and neighboring countries that made themselves available.
"I am broken today. There is no man in Macedonia who is not broken and with a destroyed spirit after this today," Mickoski said.
The company "MMMM Kafe DOOEL", the license holder for "Klub Puls", has a blocked account, according to data from "Business Network", a software that downloads information from the Central Registry, reports "Sloboden Pečat".
According to the license issued by the Ministry of Economy, published by TV21, the company received the license on March 13, 2023, signed by State Secretary Razmena Čekić Durović.
It was previously reported that the discotheque building was previously a carpet warehouse.
Among the dead was Skopje footballer Andrej Lazarov (25).
The club confirmed the news and said that Lazarov died from smoke inhalation while helping others to escape. "He suffocated from smoke while trying to save lives, showing courage and humanity until the last moment," the Skopje statement said.
Toskovski said earlier today that the police have already spoken to about a dozen people who are in hospitals in Skopje, as well as a member of the band "DNK" who performed at a disco in Kočani.
He also said at the time that a central warrant had been issued for the four suspects.
Toškovski said the fire broke out around 2.30:XNUMX a.m. as a result of sparks from pyrotechnics used for lighting effects during a concert by the popular band DNA.
The minister confirmed that the organizers had been detained, and reporters asked him earlier today whether those from the municipality who are responsible for issuing permits for the operation of facilities such as discos would also be detained.
Toškovski said on that occasion that the Ministry of Economy is providing documentation on the disco, and that the construction and technical documentation, the conditions that the facility had to meet in order to obtain a license, as well as the conduct during the event itself, will be examined.
Toškovski stated that all officials should feel moral responsibility for such a tragedy.
"Sloboden Pečat" reported that the discotheque was mostly attended by young people.
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