Thirty-four individuals, including high-ranking officials, are being investigated for alleged safety violations that resulted in the tragic deaths of 59 people in a nightclub fire last weekend in North Macedonia, according to a prosecutor.
One of Europe’s deadliest nightclub fires occurred on March 16 during a hip hop concert at Club Pulse in the eastern town of Kočani.
Almost 200 people sustained injuries in the fire.
This incident represents the highest death toll in the Balkan country since 1993, when two fatal plane crashes took place.
Public prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski announced at a press conference that the accused include seven police officers, a former economy minister, ministry officials, and three former mayors of the town.
Funeral services for 30 of the 59 victims were conducted in Kočani yesterday.
Additionally, the suspects include former heads of the national protection and rescue directorate and state market inspectorate, the director and staff of a private security agency, the nightclub owner, and members of the band ‘DNK,’ who were on stage when the fire broke out.
The alleged misconduct and illegal activities of the suspects have reportedly occurred over a span of 15 years, beginning with the initial announcement of the nightclub project, he stated.
Violations included noncompliance with fire safety regulations and inadequate security measures, such as a shortage of fire extinguishers and emergency exits.
According to Mr. Kocevski, approximately 650 people were present in the club at the time of the fire.
He noted that this marks only the beginning of an “extensive investigation.”
So far, 16 suspects have been taken into custody while awaiting trial.
Data from Aleksandar Stankov of the forensic medicine institute indicates that more than two-thirds of the deceased were between the ages of 16 and 29.
Autopsy results confirmed that suffocation was the cause of death for all 59 victims.
