Skopje, 17 March 2025 (MIA) – Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said Monday that autopsies have been conducted on around 15 victims of the Kochani nightclub fire.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” Toshkovski said, adding that 45 people are in critical condition and are being transported abroad for treatment.

Five individuals have been detained in Skopje and Tetovo, including a former minister, while 13 individuals have been detained in Shtip, with 11 held in short-term detention for 48 hours.

As Toshkovski stated, over 22-23 individuals are suspected in connection with the entire incident.

According to Toshkovski, the pyrotechnics that caused the fire were brought by the DNK band.

"The concert was held illegally, without a written agreement with the performers," Toshkovski said.

There were 500 people in the nightclub in Kochani, whereas 250 tickets were sold.

The mayor of Kochani was interviewed yesterday, and if any illegal actions are confirmed, he will be held responsible.

“We have systemic weaknesses that prevent proper control. We have determined that the system in Macedonia is so corrupt that we can say the state of institutional action is catastrophic,” Toshkovski said.

He also announced that today, many individuals from different institutions, including the Interior Ministry, will be detained.

Photo/video: MIA