Budapest [Hungary], March 18: Burn victims from the deadly fire that tore through a packed nightclub in North Macedonia are being sent to hospitals abroad as the small country grapples with a tragedy that claimed the lives of many young people.
The weekend fire in the town of Kocani killed at least 59 people and injured more than 150. Over 140 people have been taken to hospitals, with 51 sent to neighbouring countries, including Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey, Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski said on Monday. Twenty more patients would be flown abroad soon, he added.
The fire, which broke out during a performance by the hip-hop group DNK at Pulse nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, left many victims with severe burns. Treating these cases is complex and requires specialist care not often available in North Macedonia. North Macedonia's Health Insurance Fund head, Sasho Klekovski, said that the patients sent abroad so far are doing well.
The fire was sparked by pyrotechnics during the band's performance. The nightclub was filled with around 1,500 people. Many victims were between 14 and 24 years old. The deaths also included five members of the band.
Top-flight football player Andrej Lazarov, 25, died of smoke inhalation while trying to help others escape. His club, KF Shkupi, confirmed his death.
The nightclub had a licence to operate, but local media reported that it may have been granted illegally. Investigators found no fire hydrants, and only one exit was functional, as the second was locked. A special task force has been established to continue the investigation.
Source: Qatar Tribune