Kochani, 29 August 2025 (MIA) - Two young people injured in the fire at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kochani have been discharged from hospital, while three others remain hospitalized. Two patients are hospitalized in Macedonia, while one is receiving treatment in Istanbul. They are in a serious but non-life-threatening condition, the head of the Health Insurance Fund, Sasho Klekovski, told journalists on Friday during his visit to the General Hospital in Kochani.

Klekovski said a top plastic surgeon from Belgium had assessed all those in need of reconstructive procedures. So far, it has been determined that 18 of the injured require plastic surgery, but, according to Klekovski, it is still too early for such interventions.

“I’m glad that the number of injured has decreased to three. Two patients have been discharged for home treatment, one patient has returned from Istanbul, and one from the Department of Plastic Surgery. Currently, one patient is being treated in hospital in Istanbul, and two injured patients are receiving care within the country. They are in serious condition, but not critical,” Klekovski said.

The head of the General Hospital in Kochani, Katerina Panikj-Mirchovska, said two of the remaining injured patients are reporting to the Kochani General Hospital for regular treatments. She added that the Health Insurance Fund is financially supporting check-ups for six patients, which are being conducted at the Pirogov Hospital in Sofia.

“We are now approaching six months since the tragic event, and we are following all the specialists’ recommendations. Silicone masks for the faces and necks of the injured, produced using 3D printing in Germany, are expected to arrive in the coming period,” Panikj-Mirchovska said.

Some of the injured in the fire underwent rehabilitation at the Interior Ministry’s resort on Mount Ponikva as part of a process that was concluded on August 20.  

The fire that broke out at the Pulse nightclub on March 16 claimed the lives of 62 people and left around 200 injured. 

Photo: MIA