Skopje, 17 March 2025 (MIA) - The Ombudsman expresses deepest condolences to the families of the victims in the tragic event in Kochani and urges all institutions to conduct the investigation in the most professional, quick and efficient manner, so as to ensure that this unfortunate event does not remain without a legal conclusion. He said a case will be opened on his initiative within his competences regarding the tragic event.

"The Ombudsman expresses deepest condolences to the families of the victims in the tragic event in Kochani, which claimed the lives of 59 people, most of whom were children and young people, at a concert in a facility that does not even remotely resemble a nightclub. At this difficult and tragic time, there are no words of comfort for the parents who lost their children. This unprecedented tragedy claimed the lives of young people who were supposed to represent our country's future and be our pride. In a matter of minutes, on Sunday, we lost an entire generation, some on the threshold of adulthood, some future doctors, lawyers, IT specialists...," the Ombudsman's Office said in a press release. 

The Ombudsman underlines that only a thorough investigation that will determine the responsibility of everyone involved in the tragic event will be proof that the rule of law is functioning and that all those who have placed themselves above the laws and regulations will be held accountable accordingly.

"Such a tragedy must never remain unresolved, because impunity and the lack of functioning of the system's institutions in the past period have led to a situation where such tragic events repeat themselves," says the Ombudsman. 

The Office of the Ombudsman said it will open a case on its own initiative, within its competences, in order to look into all the circumstances of the case, more precisely, to determine whether, when and how the authorities acted in relation to checking the legality of the operations of the company that managed the facility, from several aspects.

The Ombudsman also wishes speedy and successful recovery of all injured in the tragedy. 

Photo: MIA archive