Seven-day mourning in North Macedonia, extraordinary inspection of large catering facilities ordered

(Patria) - The Government of North Macedonia will decide at today's extraordinary session to declare seven-day mourning due to the tragedy that occurred in Kočani, local media reported.

The session will also decide on an urgent and extraordinary inspection of all nightclubs, discotheques and restaurants that organize parties, reported "kurir.mk".

According to the latest information released by the Minister of Interior Panče Toškovski, 59 people died and 155 were injured in the fire that broke out at the "Pulse" discotheque in Kočani.

The Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia, in coordination with the Public Prosecutor's Office, has so far suspected more than 20 people in connection with the tragedy in Kočani.

"Four suspects are in hospital. Two band members, the son of the discotheque owner and the legal entity managing the discotheque. Some of the detained individuals currently in the police station are persons directly at fault, according to the evidence so far. One person who is the event organizer and whom we suspect is one of the directly responsible has been arrested," said Toškovski.

Several people from the public administration who issued illegal work permits in 2024 have also been arrested.