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Latest updates:
00:18 The live blog has concluded for now. For the latest updates, you can check news aggregators like time.mk and grid.mk (in Macedonian). The live blog will resume tomorrow morning (March 17).
22:40 Citizens have organized through a group on the social network Facebook to offer help and share information regarding the tragedy in Kočani. Members of the group primarily share details about accommodation provided at no cost for the families of the injured in the cities where the patients are hospitalized across the region.
21:50 Prosecutor Kocevski stated that the nightclub operated with numerous safety violations, describing this as an erosion of the system. Among the violations were the absence of a hydrant, an insufficient number of fire extinguishers, only one exit instead of the required two, no access for fire trucks from both sides, and the nightclub being improperly insulated with soundproofing and highly flammable materials......
The place where the tragedy happened is registered as a light industrial facility with an area of 419 square meters. It has not been reclassified for use as a hospitality venue. Despite this, it received an operating permit from the Ministry of Economy as a hospitality establishment, issued 15 years ago.
20:33 How to donate (on bussines days!) from abroad to support the families affected by the tragedy in Kočani?
NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION: Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia
BANK NAME: Komercijalna Banka AD Skopje
BANK ADDRESS: Ul. Orce Nikolov No.3, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
BANK ACCOUNT: 300000000000133 25730522-11
SWIFT CODE: KOBSMK2X
IBAN CODE: MK07300701000001228
20:24 Citizens at the central square in Strumica are gathering to pay tribute to the victims.
18:54 Citizens in the Revolution Park in Kočani, as well as on the City Square in Štip, lit candles to honor the victims.
18:31 A total of 47 injured patients will be hospitalized abroad, while specialists in burn care from Israel, Belgrade, and Prague are arriving tomorrow to assist healthcare workers in the country.
16:48 Government session decisions: A conclusion has been adopted to activate the mechanism for requesting international assistance. The State Market Inspectorate has been tasked with conducting extraordinary inspections of cabarets, nightclubs, discos, and open-air discos across the whole territory of the country within the next three days. Additionally, a seven-day period of mourning has been formally adopted.
16:07 The nightclub did not have a valid operating license. It has been confirmed that over 20 minors were injured, and 3 have died. So far, more than 20 people are suspects in the case.
15:18 A total of 27 patients are being sent for treatment abroad: ten to Bulgaria, nine to Turkey, three to Greece, and five to Serbia
15:11 The families and relatives of the victims and those injured who are hospitalized in Skopje’s healthcare facilities can stay and rest for free in hotels across the city. Families of the injured who are in Skopje can also use the services of several student and dormitory residences.
13:16 Government to declare 7-day state mourning.
13:03 A day of mourning will be declared tomorrow in Montenegro and on Tuesday in Serbia due to the tragedy in Macedonia.
12:18 According to the latest information, 59 people have died, and 35 have been identified. The number of injured has risen to 155.
12:02 A team of five public prosecutors has been formed – some prosecutors are on the ground, while others are issuing orders for specific procedural actions. The State Prosecutor announced that more information will be provided during the day.
11:39 The Red Cross has opened a phone number (A1 & Telekom: 143-400 - a donation of 100 denars per call) for donations to provide aid to the families affected by the tragedy in Kočani.
11:30 The Ministry of Health announced that 152 patients have been hospitalized in different healthcare facilities across the country, with 18 of them in critical condition.
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A seven-day state mourning has been declared in Macedonia following the devastating fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani. At least 59 people have died, three of them minors, and 155 have been hospitalized in healthcare institutions across Macedonia. Over 20 minors are injured.
Dozens of patients have been hospitalized or will be hospitalized tomorrow in Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Hungary, and Austria.
Prosecutor Kocevski stated that the nightclub operated with numerous safety violations, describing this as an erosion of the system. The place where the tragedy happened is registered as a light industrial facility, and despite this, it received an operating permit from the Ministry of Economy as a hospitality establishment, issued 15 years ago.
More than 20 people are under suspicion in the case.
According to initial information, the fire's initial cause was sparks from so-called sparklers—pyrotechnic devices used for visual effects—that ignited the ceiling made of highly flammable material. The causes are being investigated. The fire broke out during a concert by the band DNK at the nightclub.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote in a statement on Facebook that the government was "fully mobilised and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy"
The government has activated the mechanism for requesting international assistance.
*This article will be updated as new information becomes available.