Twenty people have been detained after a fire ripped through a packed and unlicensed nightclub in North Macedonia killing 59 people and injuring more than 150.
The blaze broke out early Sunday after sparks ignited the roof as a live band performed. Hundreds of people scrambled to reach the only exit as the fire spread across the ceiling, leaving many trapped inside.
Authorities arrested about 20 people in connection with the fire, including government officials and the manager of the “Pulse” nightclub, which did not have a valid license, Interior Minister Pance Toskovski told reporters.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski declared seven days of national mourning.
The fire began at around 3 a.m. on Sunday when about 500 people were in the club, according to authorities.
More than 150 people were hospitalized in Skopje, Kocani and surrounding towns. Health Minister Arben Taravari said that 20 people were critically injured.
Outside the main hospital in Kocani, relatives and friends of the victims hugged each other and lit candles.
Some patients were transferred to neighbouring Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece for treatment, authorities from those countries said.
Condolences flooded in from international leaders, including EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Pope Francis. Interim Romanian President Ilie Bolojan sent condolences.
