Skopje, 20 March 2025 (MIA) – The investigation into the deadly fire in a nightclub in Kochani on Sunday, killing 59 people and injuring nearly 200, has expanded. Now, authorities are looking into the involvement of 26 people. Seven police officers from Shtip and Kochani are suspected of committing “grave crimes against general security” in relation to issuing approvals for the nightclub to operate.

Although the investigation into the deadly fire in Kochani involves a total of 26 people Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski has said the figure may rise.

A lot of paperwork is being looked into as part of the police investigation, which involves many experts, including prosecutors and teams of police investigators, said Toshkovski yesterday in a press conference.

The Kochani and Shtip police officers, suspects in the case, by signing approvals had allowed the legal entity to be issued a nightclub license although the entertainment venue didn’t meet the required legal requirements.

On Wednesday, the Kochani court ordered the detention of 16 people suspected for their involvement in the Club Pulse fire in the early hours of Sunday to be extended by another 48 hours.

Following a prosecution motion, detention was ordered for another two people yesterday. Currently, 18 people are serving temporary detentions.

Police officers investigating organized crime on Wednesday searched the premises of the Municipality of Kochani to secure documents in relation to the operations of the nightclub in the wake of the deadly fire.

Police also searched two people, employees of the Economy Ministry, and seized technical equipment, documents, weapons, ammunition. The manager of the Club Pulse was also searched by police.

The Health Ministry has said that out of 178 people injured, 64 patients are treated in hospitals across the country, who are in relatively stable condition. 13 patients are treated in private hospitals. 101 burn victims have been flown abroad for treatment.

MIA file photo