Fire ripped through a packed nightclub early Sunday in the North Macedonian town of Kocani, killing 59 people and injuring more than 100, after sparks ignited the roof over a live band.
Arrest warrants have been issued for four people in connection with the fire, said interior minister Pance Toskovski. State news agency Mia said the owner of the club has been detained. One video from the event showed a band playing on stage flanked by two flares, the white sparks of which set the ceiling alight. Friends and family were separated in a panicked rush to the exits.
“Everyone was trying to save themselves,” said survivor Marija Taseva, 22. As she tried to escape, Taseva fell and people trod over her, leaving her with an injury on her cheek. In the rush, she lost contact with her sister, who is still missing. “We can’t find her in any hospital,” she said.
Toskovski said the fire was caused by “pyrotechnic devices” whose sparks triggered the blaze. About 148 people were hospitalised in Skopje, Kocani and surrounding towns, health minister Arben Taravari said, adding 18 people were critically injured.
Some patients were flown to neighbouring Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece for treatment, authorities said.
Public prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski said five prosecutors would investigate the fire. “Orders have been issued for collecting of evidence” and some people were being interviewed, Kocevski said. Firefighters doused the charred and smoking entrance to “Pulse” nightclub before dawn as ambulances rushed from the scene, footage from a local broadcaster showed. PM Hristijan Mickoski said: “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia! The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, the pain of families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.”