Skopje, 16 March 2025 (MIA) - The Government held Sunday a session that started with a minute of silence for the victims of the Kochani nightclub fire. The cabinet decided to declare a week-long nationwide mourning period, with a book of condolences to open in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Fifty-nine young men and women perished and over 100 people have been hospitalized after a fire engulfed a nightclub in Kochani overnight.

The Government also tasked the State Market Inspectorate to carry out urgent inspection of nightclubs across the country and notify the executive on the findings, in order to determine if they meet the requiements in line with the country's regulations.

The Government also passed a conclusion on activation of the mechanism for requesting international assistance.

The Government noted that competent institutions are collecting evidence in the case, saying all those involved and contributing to the endangerement of human lives will be bought before justice and adding that "no one is above the law."

"We extend our deepest condolences to the victims' families. All health institutions are working hard to provide care to the injured. Amid this difficult times for the Macedonian people, we kindly ask for restraint from politicizing the case. All information will be made available to the public," said the Government.

MIA file photo