North Macedonia holds mass funerals for young victims of nightclub fire
Fifty-nine people died in the blaze at the venue in Kocani on March 16
Funeral services were being held across North Macedonia for dozens of victims of last weekend’s devastating nightclub fire, as grieving communities gathered for burials in several cities and towns throughout the country.
The March 16 blaze claimed 59 lives, mostly young people, including several members of the pop band DNA, who were performing when flames engulfed the venue in the eastern town of Kocani.
Authorities set up cordons around burial sites to provide privacy for mourning families.
A religious service at the city cemetery was led by clergy from the country’s Orthodox Church, while Red Cross and emergency personnel were present to support grieving families.
Ahead of the funerals, the country’s spiritual leader, Orthodox Archbishop Stefan, called for national unity in prayer for the victims and their families.
“National solidarity and unity are most needed in such difficult times,” he added.
“We call on all the faithful to preserve peace within ourselves and peace among ourselves, and, praying diligently, to mourn with dignity.”
Separate funeral services took place in the capital, Skopje, and five other towns, where many local businesses closed as a sign of respect.
Health minister Arben Taravari said 72 people remained in hospital across the country, while 101 patients were receiving treatment abroad.
He described the condition of those being treated for burns, smoke inhalation, and trampling injuries as “stable or improved”, easing earlier concerns that the death toll could rise further.
