By Eugene Nicklaus S. Laqui
A devastating fire ripped through a shanty nightclub in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia on Sunday, resulting in 59 deaths and more than 150 sustaining heavy burns and major injuries.
Local and national governments have pledged to intensify their investigation regarding the incident.
How did it start?
According to initial investigations, the nightclub was packed with partygoers during a live performance by DNK, a Macedonian hip-hop duo, so much so that the establishment was believed to have been sheltering a whopping 500 guests.
Experts said that the club, which was also reported to not have safety and legal permits to operate, could only operate with a maximum of 250 people on its premises.
Authorities then said that the fire started when a spark from the club’s pyrotechnic devices started into the roof then swiftly engulfed the entire roof due to its light and highly flammable construction.
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They added that the situation had worsened when a stampede broke out, trapping most guests due the establishment’s only one passable emergency exit. This led to the unfortunate demise of many who were mostly 18 to 20 years old.
Authorities fear that the number of deaths may rise as some victims remain in critical condition.
As for the duo band, only one of its members managed to survive.
Fire aftermath
Local police arrested at least 15 individuals who had connections to the operations of the club and will face interrogations due to the illicit operation of the club.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said that such operations of illegal establishments had become prevalent in the country due to massive corruption and deliberate ignorance of safety protocols.
The government has implemented nationwide inspection of bars and cabarets to prevent more incidents.
Moreover, North Macedonia has declared a seven-day mourning to remember the victims of the country’s deadliest fire incident in its modern history, according to the BBC.
Global community sends condolences
International leaders have expressed their solidarity with the families of the victims and have offered medical treatments to those who have suffered major burns.
Neighboring Baltic nations, as well as countries outside the region, have extended their gestures to take in patients needing swift operations, including plastic surgeries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his nation is one with its brothers and sisters in North Macedonia in mourning for the lives lost at the fire, while recovering Pope Francis offered prayers for the families and parents who have lost their loved ones in the incident.
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Ren Azrack Escosio 
Jheruleene Anne Ramos 
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