Thousands mourn victims of North Macedonia nightclub fire
Thousands of mourners have flocked to funerals in North Macedonia for the dozens of victims of last weekend's devastating nightclub fire.
The fire broke out during a concert by the hip-hop duo DNK at the Pulse nightclub in the town of Kocani about 3am (02:00 GMT) on Sunday when sparks from flares set the ceiling alight. At least 59 people were killed and 155 were injured in the fire, triggering an outpouring of grief in the Balkan country.
Burials were held in several cities and towns, but the main funeral was in Kocani, a town of about 25,000 people located 100km (62 miles) east of the capital Skopje, where 30 of the victims were buried.
Thousands of mourners walked solemnly along dirt paths to newly dug graves marked with paper signs. Many carried baskets of white flowers or clutched photographs of their loved ones. Many wore T-shirts and badges with pictures and names of the deceased.
Several people overcome by grief required medical attention. A weeping man rested his head on the edge of one of the coffins.
Ana Kostadinovska, a backing vocalist for the band DNA, who survived the fire, wrote in an online post: 'A part of my second family has left. Along with them, my soul.
'All that remains is ashes and emptiness … and who would have thought that emptiness could hurt so much,' she wrote.
The fire, and emerging stories of the harrowing scenes at the nightclub, have triggered an outpouring of grief and protests, led mostly by young people.
Thursday's religious service at the cemetery in Kocani was led by clergy from the country's Orthodox Church, while Red Cross and emergency personnel were present to support grieving families.
Before the funerals, the country's spiritual leader, Orthodox Archbishop Stefan, called for national unity in prayer for the victims and their families.
'We pray constantly for the salvation of the innocent victims, holding memorial services for the deceased and offering prayers for the healing of the injured, as well as for the comfort of their families and loved ones,' he said.
'National solidarity and unity are most needed in such difficult times,' he added. 'We call on all the faithful to preserve peace within ourselves and peace among ourselves, and, praying diligently, to mourn with dignity.'
Stefan presided over the Kocani funerals. Separate funeral services took place in the capital, Skopje, and five other towns – several neighbouring Kocani – where many businesses closed as a sign of respect.
Public tributes were also made for Ile Gocevski, a Kocani ambulance driver who died of apparent heart failure after completing 11 hospital runs on the night of the fire.
The investigation into the tragedy continues to widen. Seven police officers are among more than 20 people detained as authorities probe the lack of fire safety measures at the Pulse nightclub, as well as allegations that the club's permits had been obtained illegally.
Health Minister Arben Taravari said 72 people remain hospitalised across the country, while 101 patients are receiving treatment abroad. He described the condition of those being treated for burns, smoke inhalation, and trampling injuries as 'stable or improved', easing earlier concerns that the death toll could rise further.
The ministry on Thursday released the names of the 59 victims. They included 41 who were in their 20s or younger and three 17-year-olds.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Two killed as light aircraft hits house near Germany's Dusseldorf
dpa Dusseldorf A light aircraft crashed into the terrace of a residential building near the German city of Dusseldorf on Saturday, killing two people including the 71-year-old female pilot, according to police. There were only about 4 kilometres left to the small regional airport in Mönchengladbach, but the pilot reported to the tower that she was struggling with technical problems. It was likely engine problems, and the woman from Dusseldorf could no longer keep her aircraft in the air during the approach. Around 12 pm (1000 GMT), she crashed her plane onto the terrace of a detached house in the town of Korschenbroich between Dusseldorf and Mönchengladbach. She herself died in the incident, along with a second person, according to the police. Only debris and remnants of the tail were left of the aircraft. A fire immediately broke out at the crash site. The fire brigade dispatched around 50 personnel, a major operation, a spokesman for the fire brigade control centre said. The crash site was cordoned off over a wide area. The officers quickly brought the fire under control. Images showed the tail of the destroyed aircraft protruding from the front garden of the house, and firefighters wearing breathing masks extinguishing the blaze. The facade of the house was severely damaged and bore black smoke marks. Three people were registered in the house, two of whom were not at home at the time of the accident, police said. They later reported to the police. It is suspected that the missing third person is the second victim, but the identity is still being investigated, said a spokesman. The pilot took off in the morning from the village of Alkersleben near Erfurt in the central state of Thuringia. She had already covered several hundred kilometres when the accident occurred.
Qatar Tribune
25-05-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Suspect in Germany's Hamburg station attack to be placed in psychiatric clinic
dpa Hamburg A magistrate has ordered the 39-year-old suspect in the knife attack at Hamburg's central train station to be placed in a psychiatric institution, police said on Saturday. The suspect, a German national, was detained on Friday evening after allegedly stabbing people at random at the busy transport hub, injuring 18 people. She is accused of 15 cases of attempted manslaughter combined with grievous bodily harm, the police said. The charges relate to the people who were directly injured with the knife and suffered cuts or stab wounds of varying severity, the police said in a statement. The remaining victims suffered other injuries, due to shock or falls. According to earlier police reports, the act was not politically motivated. 'On the contrary, there are now very concrete indications that the suspect is mentally ill,' police said. Three women aged 24, 52 and 85, as well as a 24-year-old man, were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after the attack. Police said in an update on Saturday that they were all stable. Seven other people were seriously injured, and seven people sustained minor injuries. Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher said on Saturday afternoon that some of the victims had been released from hospital. 'It is a great relief. I hope they recover well and wish them and their families a lot of strength,' he wrote on the social media platform X. He did not give an exact number for how many of the injured had been released. At the time of the attack at around 6pm (1600 GMT), the train station - one of Germany's main transit centres - was very busy, and platform 13/14 was full of people. The knife attack was stopped thanks to a brave intervention by two bystanders, the police said. Emergency services were then able to quickly arrest the 39-year-old woman, who did not resist arrest.
Qatar Tribune
25-05-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Murder arrest after three children and woman die in London house fire
Three children and a woman have died after a house fire in north-west London, with a man arrested on suspicion of murder. Officers were called to assist the London Fire Brigade (LFB) at the scene of the blaze at the home in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, at 1:22 am (0022 GMT) on Saturday. A 43-year-old woman, a girl aged 15, and two boys aged 8 and 4 died at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said. Firefighters said the woman and one of the children were rescued from the second floor of the house but were declared dead by air ambulance crews. The other two children were found inside the property as crews continued to tackle the blaze, LFB said, and were also declared dead at the scene. Their next-of-kin have been informed. A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Police have cordoned the street off and much of the house has been gutted by the fire. Superintendent Steve Allen, from the Met's local policing team in north-west London, said: 'This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved. 'Officers arrested a man at the scene and we continue to work alongside investigators from the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire. 'Emergency services will remain in Tillett Close throughout the day as these inquiries take place.' Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a post on X: 'This is devastating news and my thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community of the four people who sadly have lost their lives. 'I remain in close contact with the London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police as they work to establish the cause of the fire and offer support to all those impacted.'(PA Media/dpa)
