A critically injured burn victim from last month’s nightclub fire in North Macedonia has died while receiving treatment in Lithuania, raising the official death toll to 60, the country’s health minister has confirmed.
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Health Minister Arben Taravari announced the news, stating: “Unfortunately, this morning I received the bad news that one patient, who was among the four most critically injured, has died.” He further explained that the individual had sustained burns covering nearly 40% of their body and succumbed to complications caused by an infection and kidney failure.
The fire, which broke out on 16 March in the eastern town of Kocani, occurred during a live concert when a pyrotechnic display ignited a blaze inside the venue. The incident primarily affected young revellers, leaving dozens injured. The most severely wounded victims were transferred to hospitals across Europe with assistance from the European Union. Investigations are ongoing into alleged fire safety violations and reports of unlawfully obtained operating permits.
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Authorities have taken 34 individuals into custody in connection with the incident, including a former finance minister and seven senior police officers. State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski stated that the suspects are being investigated for offences that could carry prison sentences of up to 20 years if convicted. Officials reported that 650 people, including 31 minors, were inside the nightclub when the fire erupted, resulting in 196 injuries, 25 of whom were minors.
