A tragedy, the full extent of which has yet to be determined as authorities continue to count human casualties, occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in the town of Kotsani in Northern Macedonia, about 100 kilometers outside Skopje.

There, during a concert at a nightclub attended by about 1,500 people, a roof fire broke out and quickly spread, leading to scenes of mayhem that resulted in at least 51 people losing their lives and dozens of others being injured.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire was reportedly started by a firework thrown into the air by someone, causing the roof of the discotheque to light up and the destruction to be completed within minutes.

Members of the band who were on stage for the concert, when they realized what was happening, yelled at the crowd “get out, get out”, the attendees began running disorderly in every direction, many followed and didn’t make it outdoors.

In the first update from the Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia on Sunday morning, it was announced that for now the death toll is 51 and the injured are about 90, who have been taken to two hospitals. At the same time, it was announced that the concert organizers have been arrested.

Mitskowski’s first message

In his first message on the tragedy, Skopje Prime Minister Christian Mitskoski said that “I was deeply saddened to learn the news of the terrible tragedy in Kochani. This is a difficult and very sad day for North Macedonia! The loss of so many young lives is irreparable and the pain of families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable,”he wrote on Facebook.

“In these moments of deep sorrow, our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and the families of the deceased – strength to bear this unimaginable loss. The people and the government will do everything in their power to ease their pain even a little and help them in these most difficult times. I call on all relevant agencies – health services, police, local authorities – to take urgent action to help the injured and support the affected families. The government is fully mobilized and will do whatever is necessary to address the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy.”Mitskowski also said.

Contact between Gerapetritis and the Skopje Foreign Minister

Georgos Gerapetritis contacted by telephone the Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Timcho Mucunski and expressed his condolences for the human losses caused by the fire at the nightclub in the town of Kochani.

Gerapetritis also stood by Greece’s readiness to provide all necessary assistance, including rescue teams and medical support.