Skopje, 17 March 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said Monday that 51 people injured in the fire in Kochani have been sent for treatment abroad through the crisis HQ that has been coordinating the process for the past 24 hours. About twenty more people will be transported to hospitals in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Norway and Hungary.

He pointed out in that context that on Sunday he held phone calls with the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Türkiye, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Kosovo, Malta, Hungary, Israel, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia, as well as with Richard Grenell on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. In addition, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has held phone calls with regional and world leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and the Prime Ministers of Croatia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Serbia...

"In the phone calls, all our friends expressed deep condolences and offered assistance in the form of material and technical means, human capacities and medical care for the patients whose treatment needs to continue abroad. After intensive communication with my colleagues, in less than 12 hours after the accident, the first patients were on the way to the countries where their treatment has already begun. At this time, a total of 51 Macedonian citizens have been sent for treatment in the following countries: nine patients in Türkiye, 14 in Bulgaria, 4 in Greece, 17 in Serbia, 4 in Lithuania transported by plane provided by Romania, and for now, 2 patients in Hungary," Mucunski said. 

He noted that on Monday six patients will be sent to Austria, four to Slovenia, four to Croatia, and four more patients to Norway and Hungary each. Medical specialists from the Czech Republic have arrived in the country to provide medical assistance, and a medical team from Israel and Serbia is expected to arrive at any moment.

Mucunski added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has designated a contact person in each country where patients are sent, available 24/7 for any assistance and support. He noted that the contact details are published on the Ministry's website. 

The Minister said he would propose that the Government's General Affairs Department covers the costs of travel and stay abroad for family members of Macedonian patients receiving treatment abroad.

Mucunski noted that the country has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which is a system to coordinate assistance among EU member states and other countries from which additional assistance is expected in the coming days.

"I extend my deep and sincere gratitude to all the countries that immediately responded to the appeals for help. Solidarity in extremely difficult times reaffirms the alliance and friendship that our country has with numerous countries in the world," said Mucunski, noting that by decision of the Government a seven-day national mourning period has been declared starting today, flags are flown at half-mast at the diplomatic and consular offices, and books of condolences have been opened.

Underscoring the commitment and sacrifice of medical staff in the country, he also expressed gratitude for all the messages of condolences and sympathy, and the offers of assistance from numerous countries and leaders from around the world.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of them for their expressions of sympathy and for the selfless assistance provided in organizing the medical transport and treatment of some of the injured Macedonian citizens," Minister Mucunski stressed.

The deadly fire in a nightclub in Kochani killed 59 people and left 155 injured. 

Photo: MIA