Skopje, 17 March 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Health Arben Taravari told a press conference on Monday that the patients receiving treatment after the fire in Kochani are generally stable, noting that 20 patients are in critical condition. He said possible complications could be expected today and tomorrow. According to him, there are new patients who were part of the tragic event in Kochani, but they reported today. 

"We have finished a meeting of the Crisis HQ, taking a cross-section of the situation. Fortunately, the patients who were brought to hospitals across the country yesterday are in stable condition. And those who were transferred outside the country, a total of 51 so far, are all in generally stable condition. However, a new problem is emerging, there are patients who did not report yesterday, and are reporting today. I would like to send a message to everyone who was part of the tragic event in Kochani, and did not report yesterday, I ask them to report today," said Taravari. 

There are currently 49 patients at the Clinical Center in Skopje, 18 patients at the "8 September" hospital, and 17 patients at the "St. Naum Ohridski" hospital. According to him, all patients previously hospitalized in Kochani and Shtip are now admitted to hospitals in Skopje. There are no more patients in Kochani.

"We have now received information, two new patients have been reported in Shtip, who were not there at all yesterday," the Minister added.

So far, nine patients have been sent to Türkiye - six to Ankara and three to Istanbul. Also, 14 patients have been sent to Bulgaria, of whom eight to Sofia, and three each to Varna and Plovdiv. Five patients have been sent to Greece and 17 patients have been sent to Serbia.

"Two more patients were sent to Hungary, Budapest, and four more patients were sent to Lithuania yesterday. Today we expect several more patients to be sent outside the country. Two will definitely be taken to Slovenia today, and maybe two more later or tomorrow. Four more patients will be taken to Croatia either today or tomorrow. A total of six patients will be sent to Austria, three in Vienna and three in Graz. Another 12 patients will be sent to Belgrade by plane," said Taravari.

Taravari underlined that the situation is under control and fewer complications are expected.

The death toll from the Kochani nightclub fire has risen to 59. Of those injured in the fire, 84 patients are receiving treatment in the country, and 51 abroad.  

Photo and video: MIA