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From Pope Francis, Zelensky to Vučić, solidarity with RMV
2025-03-17 09:51:09 / BOTA
Messages of condolence and support are pouring in from European leaders after the tragic fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia that killed 59 people and injured more than 150 others.
The tragedy has drawn attention to corruption in this small Balkan country, while authorities have arrested 15 people.
The fire broke out at around 2:30 am during a concert by a local pop band at the club, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said. He said 39 victims have been identified so far.
Authorities warn that the death toll could rise, as 20 of the injured are in critical condition.
The government declared seven days of national mourning to honor the victims of the tragedy. Most of the victims and injured were young and died mainly from burns, smoke and panic caused by a large crowd trying to reach the club's only exit, authorities said.
One survivor, Marija Taseva, 19, said: "We tried to get out through the bathroom, but we found bars on the windows." She said she only managed to escape after falling down the stairs, where many people passed and stepped on her. "I almost died and could barely breathe," Taseva added. The fire caused part of the building's roof to collapse, revealing wooden remains and charred pieces. Police have cordoned off the site and sent teams to collect evidence in an operation involving state prosecutors.
European leaders express condolences and offer assistance
Messages of condolence have come from European leaders and the office of Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for a month with double pneumonia. He expressed his deepest condolences and assured prayers for those who lost their lives, asking for God's comfort for those who are suffering.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke out through a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing sadness over this tragic loss and providing support for the people of North Macedonia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed his condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured. " Ukraine is in pain with our Macedonian friends on this sad day, " Zelensky said.
North Macedonia's Health Ministry officials said they had received offers of assistance from several neighboring countries, including Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Turkey, which were preparing to receive patients with serious injuries.
Serbia's President, Aleksandar Vučić, said he has ordered the government to mobilize support and provide every necessary resource to help mitigate this tragedy.
In the city of Thessaloniki in Greece, three people with severe burns – two 25-year-olds and a 19-year-old – are being treated at a civil hospital, while one of them is undergoing surgery. Their condition is critical.
On Sunday, relatives of the victims gathered in front of hospitals and city offices in Kocani - about 115 km east of Skopje - demanding more information from the authorities.
Dragi Stojanov, a resident, was informed that his 21-year-old son, Tomce, had died in the fire.
" He was my only child. I don't need my life anymore. 150 families have been destroyed," he said. "The burnt children are unrecognizable. There are bodies, only bodies inside (the club). And the (organized crime) bosses are just putting money in their pockets ," he said.
North Macedonia's President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, visited the wounded at a Skopje hospital and spoke to parents waiting outside. " It's terrible. It's hard to believe how this happened ," she said. " We need to give these young people the courage to carry on."
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the event as "the most difficult day of his life" and added that the country must fight corruption.
"I got involved in politics to change something. I encountered a deeply corrupt system that has been created and nurtured for decades, which includes people from all parties, " he said.
The North Macedonian government ordered a wide-ranging inspection of all clubs and cabarets in the country for the next three days.
This is the worst tragedy to have struck North Macedonia, an isolated Balkan state with a population of less than 2 million, and the latest in a series of tragic nightclub fires around the world.
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