Prosecutor Reveals Major Safety Oversights at North Macedonia Nightclub Where 59 Lost Their Lives in Fire

A tragic incident unfolded in a packed nightclub in North Macedonia over the weekend, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of 59 lives in a catastrophic fire. According to state prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski, the venue possessed only one emergency exit, which was unfortunately locked, and it lacked essential fire safety measures, including fire extinguishers and sprinklers. To compound the situation, the nightclub housed flammable materials.

The fire erupted during a hip-hop concert in the town of Kocani around 3 AM local time (2 AM Irish time) on Sunday, when sparks from flares ignited a section of the ceiling. As flames rapidly spread across the roof, thousands of attendees desperately scrambled for the sole exit.

“It did not have two exit doors, only one single improvised metal door at the back of the building, which was locked and lacked a handle on the inside,” Kocevski revealed in a statement shared late on Sunday.

In the wake of the disaster, Sasa Djenic, a local school teacher whose 15-year-old daughter narrowly escaped with burns on her arms, voiced his frustration: “(The nightclub) operated in substandard conditions. It does not have this and that, and people were making money from it. Who is responsible?”

Draghi Stojanov, who lost his son in the fire, expressed his profound sorrow, stating, “After this tragedy, what do I need this life for? I had one child and I lost him,” during an interview with Reuters. The emotional toll of this event is palpable, as family members of the missing queued outside hospitals in Kocani, providing DNA samples to aid in the identification of their loved ones.

Meanwhile, the Kocani cemetery is now scarred with fresh graves, as bulldozers and workers meticulously dug in preparation for burials. Authorities have arrested 20 individuals in relation to the fire, including government officials and the nightclub’s manager.

Kocevski confirmed that his office is actively investigating the criminal liability of those involved, concerning what he described as “serious offences against public security” and other related crimes. “The individuals acted contrary to the regulations and technical rules of the protection measures and thereby caused a danger to the life and work of people on a large scale,” he asserted.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski added a layer of accountability, stating that the club’s license was improperly issued by the economy ministry and assured the public that those responsible would face justice. Reports from local media indicate that former economy minister Kreshnik Bekteshi has been questioned by police regarding the incident.

Images captured by Reuters depict the nightclub’s corrugated iron roof, burned through and partially collapsed, revealing charred wooden beams within. Additionally, 47 injured individuals have sought treatment in hospitals across Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey, with burn specialists from Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Israel set to assist local medical teams. More victims may also be transported to hospitals in Croatia and Romania, according to officials.

In light of this tragedy, a nationwide week of mourning commenced this morning, and a vigil for the victims is scheduled in the capital, Skopje. As the community grapples with this unimaginable loss, we must ask ourselves how we can prevent such disasters in the future.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.