Skopje, 17 March 2025 (MIA) – The responsibility of the institutions in the past is clear. We have a falsified work licence. Wait and see what the investigation will reveal, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Monday regarding the tragic accident in Kochani that claimed 59 lives.

Commenting on the resignation of the mayor of Kochani, Mickoski stated that the mayor showed the decency to step down, but emphasized that the responsibility of the municipality in the case of the building lies solely with the communal inspectors.

“The building initially received a construction permit, and in 2014, the plot was further developed. The municipality’s responsibility lies with the communal inspectors, who are tasked with verifying whether the terrace complies with the approved plans. The institutions' responsibility is clear. A falsified work licence for cash has been discovered. Wait for the investigation to reveal more,” Mickoski said.

He repeated that he is willing to take responsibility if it is the wish of certain individuals, but emphasized that he would do so after confronting all those who allowed this tragedy to occur through criminal actions.

“I will take responsibility if I am the problem in this country and if that is the wish of certain individuals, but they will not have that satisfaction until we defeat all those who allowed this to happen through criminal actions. After that, we will go to the elections, and the citizens will decide who will be held accountable and who will go to jail,” said Mickoski, who, together with the Minister of Health, visited the victims of the Kochani fire who are being treated at the Clinical Centre in Skopje.

Photo: Government