Skopje, 24 March 2025 (MIA) – Financial assistance from the funds raised through the Red Cross for the families of the victims and injured people in the March 16 nightclub fire in Kochani will start distributing Monday with 150,000 denars allocated to each family. Until March 22, the Red Cross raised 51,822,579 denars.

According to latest Health Ministry’s information, out of nearly 200 people who were injured in last week’s deadly incidents, five people remain in critical condition out of 115 that have been flown abroad for treatment. Those treated in hospitals across the country, all 55 patients, are in stable and good condition.

Health Minister Arben Taravari said yesterday that a protocol has been drafted before the first five patients return to the country by the middle of the week after receiving treatment abroad.

“There will be special teams that will follow the protocol, which will include information on the state of the returning patients. Special teams will be set up to transport the patients in special vehicles to the hospitals,” Taravari stated.

Of the 17 burn victims treated in Serbia’s Clinical Center in Belgrade, two are on mechanical ventilation while another two have had surgery. The patients are in stable operation after the surgery, said doctor Milan Stojicic, head of the Clinic for Plastic Surgery in Belgrade.

Ten patients are currently treated at the Skopje-based University Clinic for Surgical Diseases, six of whom have already undergone skin transplants due to third-degree burns, said clinic director Nebojsha Nastov on Sunday.

Doctor Nastov said the other patients are expected to be released for home treatment starting next week, while adding that the situation is fluid and can change.

People have been holding peaceful gatherings to honor the Kochani fire victims. On Sunday, Kochani held a 60-minute Silent March as a sign of tribute to all the 60 people who died as a result of the fire that broke out in Club Pulse in the early hours of March 16. People in Skopje and Ohrid also honored the victims during 60-munite moment of silence at gatherings.

In the meantime, authorities have been conducting inspections across the country to look into documentation, whether licenses and permits have been implemented and whether technical conditions and security standards have been applied.

Two venues in Skopje’s Center municipality were closed after breaching the government decisions declaring a week-long national mourning, which ended yesterday. Over 20 people were arrested.

Municipalities have been coordinating through the Association of Local Self-Government Units (ZELS) to check schools, kindergartens, sport halls, centers of culture, and hospitality venues.

The investigation into the Kochani nightclub fire so far covers 27 physical and legal entities. Probes have been also launched against seven police officers from Shtip and Kochani. Two criminal charges were filed against 34 people and three companies, suspected of committing “grave crimes against general safety. One person is also charged with receiving bribe. The Kochani court ordered 30-day detention for 24 people, including former mayors of Kochani, including the outgoing mayor Ljupcho Papazov and former economy minister Kreshnik Bekteshi.

MIA file photo