Fire at Kochani nightclub kills 51, injures over 100

(Web Desk): A fire broke out at a nightclub in the city of Kochani, North Macedonia, killing at least 51 people and injuring more than 100.

According to CNN, North Macedonia's official news agency, MIA, reported that the country's Interior Minister, Panche Toshkovski, announced the fatalities during a press conference on Sunday morning.

The country's Justice Minister, Igor Flikov, stated that more than 80 injured individuals have been transferred to hospitals and clinics in the capital, Skopje. He assured that all those involved in the incident would be brought to justice.

Local media reported that the fire started at the "Plus" nightclub in Kochani. According to the club's Instagram account, the popular Macedonian pop group DNA was performing at the club on Saturday night when the devastating fire broke out.

Meanwhile, AFP reported that during a concert by the popular hip-hop duo DNK, the fire started at the "Plus" nightclub in the small town, which has a population of around 30,000. Most of the attendees were young people.

Online media outlet SDK reported that the fire broke out at around 3 a.m. local time, and rescue sources confirmed that over 100 people were injured. The injured were either taken to the local Kochani hospital or transferred to a hospital in Stepa, about 30 kilometers south of the city.

Local media stated that the fire was likely caused by the use of pyrotechnic devices.