North Macedonia officials shutter dozens of illegal clubs after 59 killed in Kočani fire

Authorities in North Macedonia have shuttered dozens of nightclubs and entertainment venues across the country for not having valid operating licenses.

It comes after a fire broke out at a concert in an unlicensed venue in the eastern town of Kočani on Sunday which killed 59 people.

Government spokesperson Marija Miteva said that out of 50 establishments inspected in several cities, only 22 had valid licences.

"For all premises with expired licenses or no license at all, the state market inspectorate has ordered the suspension of activities until all necessary documents are reviewed and validated," Miteva said.

The fire in Club Pulse happened after pyrotechnics were used during a concert given by the popular hip-hop duo, DNK.

Multiple safety and licensing violations were subsequently discovered at the club.

Authorities said on Wednesday that 16 people remain in custody for questioning, following police interviews with more than 70 individuals.

North Macedonia declared a week of national mourning after the disaster, which has shaken the Balkan nation of two million people and triggered anti-corruption protests and mass vigils.

Funeral services for the mostly young concertgoers are scheduled for Thursday in Kočani, and authorities said autopsies and formal identifications have been completed.

Memorial services will also be held elsewhere in the country.

"Let us be calm, let us be gentle, let us be peaceful, patient," said Metropolitan Bishop Ilarion of Bregalnica, a region that includes Kočani. "Let our prayers and our thoughts be directed towards our deceased, but also towards our injured for their health and recovery."

Of the 150 people injured, dozens have been transferred to hospitals across Europe, primarily for specialist treatment for burns.

Belgium, the Netherlands and Greece are providing support in an EU-backed effort led by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre.

Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Lithuania, Hungary, Luxembourg and Norway also made immediate offers of assistance in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Stojance Angelov, who heads the country’s crisis management agency, said the country’s Orthodox Church is leading the funeral arrangements.

"No words can truly capture the depth of this tragedy or express the overwhelming sadness I feel," he said in an online post. "Broken by grief, I cannot find anything strong enough to convey my condolences to the families who lost their beloved sons and daughters."