Skopje, 16 March 2025 (MIA) – In an address to the public on Sunday afternoon, following the tragedy in Kochani, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said this is not a time for divisions and confrontations, stressing those responsible won’t evade justice and punishment.

“This is not a time for divisions and confrontations, especially when young people are concerned, whose lives ended in a blink because of arbitrariness, improvisation and manipulation. No domain or activity can be allowed to operate without standards and rules. Not a single person responsible can be allowed to evade the law, justice and punishment this time,” Siljanovska-Davkova said.

The President stressed that the country can no longer allow anyone to put the lives of innocent people at risk.

“We must never again sacrifice standards and the safety of people for the profit and wealth of individuals. Nothing is more valuable than human, and especially young, lives,” the President stressed.

Siljanovska-Davkova stressed she visited the injured on Sunday morning and reiterated that she too is shocked by the event.

“As a mother, as a human, as president, I still find it hard to believe the horrific tragedy in Kochani is reality. I don’t know what words to use to offer condolences to the parents and the close ones of the victims. Your immeasurable pain is mine as well,” the President said.

The President noted that several countries have agreed to help.

“Those with the most serious injuries are being transported to specialized clinics in Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Türkiye to receive top medical treatment and intervention. Good people from the entire region, Europe and the world are with us. We will never forget this charitable act. We will be eternally grateful,” Siljanovska-Davkova said in her address to the public.

The fire at the nightclub in Kochani claimed the lives of 59 people and left 155 injured.

Photo: MIA