Skopje, 4 April 2025 (MIA) - Health Minister Arben Taravari announced at a press conference Friday that the patient injured in the Kochani nightclub fire who succumbed to his injuries is 29-year-old Aleksandar Karadakoski who was receiving treatment in Lithuania. 

“With great regret I would like to state that early this morning one of the 116 patients who were sent abroad for treatment, Aleksandar Karadakoski, who was being treated in Lithuania, has, unfortunately, passed away,” Taravari said at a press conference, extending his condolences to the family.

The head of the St. Naum of Ohrid Surgery Hospital, Nebojsha Nastov, said Karadakoski’s death came as a result of a worsening condition caused by the high degree of damage he suffered to the lungs.

Taravari stressed Karadakoski’s medical condition was the most serious of all patients being treated abroad.

Karadakoski is the 60th victim of the fire at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kochani that broke out on March 16.

In a press release Friday, the Foreign Ministry said it remains in constant communication with Karadakoski’s family and the relevant institutions in Lithuania through North Macedonia’s Embassy in Warsaw. It said the Embassy is taking all actions to conclude consular procedures for the repatriation of his remains.

Regarding the other injured patients, the Health Minister told journalists 78 patients are still receiving treatment abroad out of a total of 193 injured. Fourteen patients are currently being treated in the country, five of which are expected to be discharged soon, while nine will remain hospitalized in medical facilities in Skopje.

The Minister added that six new patients are expected to return to the country on Friday – two each from Bulgaria, Hungary and Spain. 

“Practically only 69 patients will remain abroad, three of which are, unfortunately, in a critical and unstable condition. It is good that out of 193 injured, 118 are receiving home treatment and are in a good condition. In general, most of those outside of the country are stable and in good condition. Several patients are expected to return in the next 3-4 days,” Taravari said.

The Health Minister told journalists that 20 of the 69 patients receiving treatment abroad have been intubated. 

Photo: MIA