A devastating fire broke out at a nightclub in North Macedonia, a landlocked country in Southeastern Europe, resulting in the deaths of at least 51 people and injuring around 100 others.
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday (March 16) in a nightclub located in the southern city of Kočani. North Macedonia’s Interior Minister, Panče Toškovski, confirmed the casualty numbers during a press conference.
Toškovski stated that the fire started at 2:35 AM during a concert by a local pop group. He explained that young attendees were using fireworks inside the club, which led to the fire igniting the ceiling.
Videos circulating on social media show scenes of chaos inside the nightclub as people tried to escape.
Family members of the victims have gathered at hospitals and the Kočani city office, seeking further information from authorities. Meanwhile, police have arrested one individual in connection with the incident, though further details about their involvement have not yet been disclosed.