The Serbian Defense Ministry has sent 14 military doctors and five ambulances to help victims of a fire at a disco in Northern Macedonia, the defense ministry said.
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The fire at the Puls disco in Kochani occurred around 3:00 a.m., presumably due to the use of pyrotechnic devices during a concert by the DNA group, which was attended by about 1.5 thousand people. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Northern Macedonia, the death toll from the fire at the disco was 59, 155 people were injured. The Ministry of Health of the Republic clarified that 18 patients are in critical condition, including children.
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“By order of the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander Alexander Vucic, the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army urgently dispatched 14 doctors and five ambulances to assist the victims of the accident in Kochani tonight. Some of the injured North Macedonian citizens will be admitted to the Nis military hospital, and those whose health condition requires more complex treatment will be taken to the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
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The North Macedonian authorities have also been offered logistical support by the Serbian Defense Ministry.
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On Sunday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, in a telephone conversation with the head of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, offered Serbian helicopters and medical teams to help neighbors after a fire at a disco. He also said that March 18 will be declared a day of mourning in Serbia.
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Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic also said that Montenegro would declare March 17 a day of mourning for the victims of the disco fire in Northern Macedonia.
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The Interior Minister of North Macedonia, Panche Toskovski, said earlier at a briefing that an investigation was underway, four people were ordered to be detained in connection with the organization of the event, and members of the band who performed at the disco were also interviewed.
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The director of the Kochani hospital, Dr. Kristina Serafimova, told reporters at a briefing that the age of the victims ranged from 14 to 27 years.
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Prime Minister Christian Mickoski and members of the government went to the scene, emergency services are working, and citizens are helping them. Parents post photos of their children on social media and search for them in hospitals.
