Latest news with #AndrejLazarov
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Soccer Player Andrej Lazarov Dead at 25 After Reportedly Trying to Save Lives in Fatal Fire
Professional soccer player Andrej Lazarov was among more than 50 people who died Sunday, March 16, in a fire at the Pulse club in Kočani in North Macedonia. He was 25. Lazarov's club FC Shkupi confirmed the news on the team's official Facebook page. The young athlete 'lost his life trying to help others escape the fire-stricken space,' the club wrote of his passing. 'He suffocated from smoke during his attempts to save lives, showing courage and humanity until the very last moment. His heroic act will forever remain in our memory, as a testament to his noble character and his big heart.' The club also described Lazarov's untimely passing as a 'huge loss' for the team. 'Words are small to describe the pain we are feeling right now, in this tragedy — one of the biggest hit by our club in its history,' the post read. Major League Soccer Player Anton Walkes Dead at 25: The Charlotte FC Star Dies Following a Boating Accident North Macedonia's Interior Minister, Panche Toshkovskithe, stated that the fire began around 3:00 a.m. local time during a press conference on Sunday. At least 59 people have died and more than 155 were injured in the blaze, according to Toshkkovskithe. The Associated Press reported that the fire was likely caused after pyrotechnics on stage hit the ceiling during the band DNK's set. 'We even tried to get out through the bathroom, only to find bars (on the windows),' Marija Taseva, who was at the event, told the AP. 'I somehow managed to get out. I fell down the stairs and they ran over me, trampled me. ... I barely stayed alive and could hardly breathe.' The blaze also caused the roof of the building to partially collapse. Authorities have since blocked off the site. An account on X called The Informant also reported that 27 of the injured were treated at Skopje City Hospital, while 23 others were treated at the city's Clinical Center. 'Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called it a tragic day, urging support for the victims and their families,' the account noted. Toshkovskithe also said 15 people have been detained for questioning after authorities found out the club was operating without the proper license. 'We have grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption in this case,' he also said. Russian Ballet Dancer Vladimir Shklyarov Dead at 39 After Suffering Fifth-Floor Fall In September 2024, Grinta Agency announced Lazarov had signed to the North Macedonian soccer team. 'We're happy to announce Andrej Lazarov will be part of FC Shkupi for the 2024/25 season,' the agency wrote on Facebook at the time. 'The talented midfielder is back in the league in which he contributed in 15 goals/assists the last time around.'
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Who was Andrej Lazarov? soccer player, 25, dies saving lives in Macedonia fire
Listen to article Andrej Lazarov, a 25-year-old professional footballer, died a hero in the early hours of Sunday, March 16, while trying to save others from a raging nightclub fire that killed at least 59 people and injured more than 155 in Kočani, North Macedonia. Lazarov, a central midfielder, had joined second-tier Macedonian club FC Skopje in September. Described by his teammates as dedicated, humble, and full of heart, he had quickly become a valued presence in the dressing room. Though his time at the club was short, his impact was lasting — both as a player and as a person. He had previously played in various youth systems across the country and was known for his work ethic on and off the pitch. Friends and teammates say he was deeply passionate about football and always stepped up when his team or community needed him. The fire erupted around 2:35 a.m. local time at the Pulse nightclub during a concert by a local hip-hop group. Pyrotechnics reportedly ignited the roof of the packed venue, which was hosting about 1,500 people. Amid the panic, Lazarov acted selflessly. According to FC Skopje's emotional statement, he was last seen trying to help people escape the fire. He ultimately died from smoke inhalation while attempting to rescue others. 'As a heroic soul, Lazarov lost his life trying to help others escape from the burning environment,' the club wrote. 'He was poisoned by smoke during his efforts to save lives, showing courage and humanity until the very end.' The club described the loss as one of the greatest in its history. 'Although he was with us for only six months, his name will remain indelible,' the statement read. 'The memory of him will always remain unforgettable in our hearts.' Tributes flooded social media, with fans and fellow players calling Lazarov a 'true hero.' One user wrote, 'True heroes are made of courage,' while another said, 'Rest in peace, Andrej Lazarov. You died saving others. That's the definition of bravery.' Government officials, including North Macedonia's Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, expressed condolences over the tragedy, calling it a dark day for the nation. The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, also posted a message on X mourning the loss of so many young lives. While investigations continue, one thing is certain: Andrej Lazarov will be remembered not only for his talent on the field but for his final, selfless act that cost him his life.
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Soccer player, 25, dies trying to save lives in Macedonia nightclub fire
Listen to article Professional soccer player Andrej Lazarov, 25, has been confirmed among the victims of a devastating nightclub fire in North Macedonia that claimed at least 59 lives and injured more than 155 people in the early hours of Sunday, March 16. Lazarov, a player for FC Shkupi in the Macedonian First Football League, reportedly died from smoke inhalation while trying to rescue others during the blaze. In a heartfelt statement posted on Facebook, the club announced the tragic news 'with great pain and sorrow,' praising Lazarov's selfless final act. 'He showed courage and humanity until the very last moment,' the club wrote. 'His heroic act will always remain in our memories, as a testament to his noble character and his big heart. This is a huge loss for our club, our teammates, and the entire football community. Words are not enough to describe the pain we feel right now.' Lazarov had joined FC Shkupi six months ago and had quickly become a valued member of the team. The fire broke out at the Pulse nightclub in the eastern town of Kočani. According to North Macedonia's Interior Minister, Panche Toshkovski, the blaze was caused by sparks from pyrotechnics used during a concert by local pop group ADN. The tragedy is one of the deadliest incidents the country has experienced in recent years. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski addressed the nation via Instagram, writing, 'This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The government is fully mobilized and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy.' Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, expressed her condolences on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, writing, 'I am deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Kočani, North Macedonia, which claimed the lives of too many young people. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the whole of North Macedonia.' The North Macedonia Police have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation into the fire, which occurred during a packed event reportedly attended by more than 1,000 people. The nightclub fire has shaken the nation, with mourning families and community members calling for accountability and safety reforms as authorities begin a full probe into the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Yahoo
Fire at North Macedonia nightclub kills 59
March 16 (UPI) -- A fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia killed 59 people and injured 155 more after a pyrotechnics display went out of control during a concert early Sunday. Hundreds of people were at Club Pulse in Kochani to watch the band DNK perform when the blaze broke out after sparks from the pyrotechnics display drifted up and caught the ceiling on fire, France 24 reported. The victims ranged in age from 16 to 24, according to health officials, including several members of the band, CNN reported. According to North Macedonian state media outlet MIA, most of the people who died were trampled in the panicked crowd, the state media outlet MIA reported. A well known European soccer player, Andrej Lazarov, 25, was also confirmed among those to have been killed, FC Shkupi announced in an Instagram post Sunday. "The fire was caused by pyrotechnics used for lighting effects at the concert and activated the sprinklers," Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said at a press conference Sunday. "Most likely, sparks caught a part of the ceiling that was made of flammable material, causing the fire to spread to the entire discotheque in a short period of time, creating thick smoke," he said Toshkovski added that "persons" had been detained in connection with the incident, local media sources reported. Police said Sunday morning that the owner of the nightclub had been detained for questioning. They also said 20 suspects were identified, 15 of whom were detained as part of an investigation into the fire.
