Athens, 18 March 2025 (MIA) – This was the most tragic moment in the history of my people, a moment that will forever remain in our collective memory. But what should also remain in our collective memory and never be forgotten is the solidarity we received, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said in Thessaloniki after visiting the injured people in Kochani fire, hospitalized at Papanikolaou hospital, MIA’s Athens correspondent reported.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Timcho Mucunski and Health Minister Arben Taravari visited the two hospitals early on Tuesday in Thessaloniki, where five injured individuals are hospitalized. They were joined by Greece’s Deputy Minister of Interior for sector Macedonia and Thrace, Konstantinos Gioulekas, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tasos Chatzivasileiou.

After visiting Papanikolaou hospital, Mucunski stated to Greek media that, according to the latest updates, “the patients are in serious but stable condition.”

“What we saw and witnessed this morning was excellent medical care. I will quote what the head doctor in charge of these patients told us: “Your children are our children,” Mucunski said.

He added that some parents had asked him to express their gratitude to the doctors and medical staff for the care their children are receiving. At the same time, he extended his appreciation to Greece and the Greek people on behalf of our country and its citizens.

“Alongside my colleague, the Minister of Health, I came here today to express our gratitude and to hope that we will never have to return such a profound act of solidarity. Our thanks go to the Greek citizens and the Greek Government for their kindness,” Mucunski stated.

Regarding the tragic morning, he recalled that one of his first calls was with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, emphasizing that Greece not only expressed condolences but also provided concrete support.

“The first patients to leave our country were those who came here to Thessaloniki, a city close to us in many ways, and one that I hope will never again have to be close to us for reasons like these, Mucunski said.

He also noted that, in addition to Thessaloniki, injured individuals were also hospitalized in Athens after being transported last night by a Greek Air Force aircraft. He also acknowledged the assistance provided by other countries.

After visiting Papanikolaou hospital, where three patients are being treated, Mucunski and Taravari headed to Thessaloniki’s military hospital, where two more injured individuals with severe burns are receiving medical attention.