In brief
At least 51 individuals lost their lives and over 100 were injured in a nightclub blaze in Kocani, North Macedonia, sparked by fireworks during a pop concert, according to government officials.
The fire erupted overnight in the town of Kocani, situated approximately 50 miles from Skopje, the nation’s capital. Government spokeswoman Marija Miteva confirmed the fatalities, while Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski indicated that the flames engulfed the club's roof shortly after fireworks were discharged during the event. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed profound sorrow on social media, describing the day as "difficult and sad" for Macedonia and emphasizing the devastating impact on the families and friends of those lost. Further details regarding the incident remain scarce as local officials continue their assessment of the situation. In a show of international solidarity, Angela Aggeler, the U.S. ambassador to North Macedonia, expressed her condolences, labeling the tragedy as incomprehensible. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Alisa Dogramadzieva contributed reporting from Belgrade.
