Fifty-nine people were killed and more than 100 injured when a fire broke out in a nightclub early on Sunday in the North Macedonian town of Kocani, interior minister Pance Toskovski said.
The fire was caused by “pyrotechnic devices” used during a concert, Toskovski said.
“Sparks caused fire … and fire spread through the discotheque,” he said.
A video from the event, verified by Reuters, shows a band playing on stage flanked by two flares firing white sparks into the air. The sparks set the ceiling alight above the band, who appear to step away as the video cuts.
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Firefighters doused the charred and smoking entrance to the club, named Pulse, TV footage from a local broadcaster showed.
North Macedonia’s MRT public broadcaster reported that 27 people were hospitalised at the Skopje City Hospital with severe burns, and another 23 were being treated at the Clinical Center. Among the injured were minors, it said.
The blaze broke out at 3am in Kocani.
North Macedonia has declared a seven-day period of mourning after the fire.
The interior minister said a preliminary inspection revealed the club was operating without a proper licence.
At the end of a day in which the small Balkan country grappled with a disaster not seen in decades, Mr Toskovski said the venue where the pre-dawn blaze occurred appeared to be operating illegally.
“This company does not have a legal licence for work,” Mr Toskovski told reporters. “This licence, as many other things in Macedonia in the past, is connected with bribery and corruption,” he added without elaborating.
More than 20 people were under investigation, 15 of whom were in police custody, while others suspected of involvement were in hospital, he said.
Prime minister Hristijan Mickoski said in a post on Facebook: “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia! The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.
“I call on all competent institutions – health services, relevant authorities – to take urgent measures to assist the injured and support the families of the families.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “My thoughts are with the people of North Macedonia following the devastating nightclub fire in Kocani overnight.”
He expressed his “deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives” and said “I also wish all those injured a full recovery”.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said in a statement: “I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims and to the people of North Macedonia.” - Additional reporting by Reuters/Guardian
