North Macedonia’s Interior Minister Panče Toškovski announced today that 14 individuals have been placed in custody as part of the investigation into the disco fire in Kočani, with their detention lasting up to 48 hours.

Toškovski stated, “Eleven individuals are held on reasonable suspicion of committing ‘serious crimes against public safety’, while three are under custody for ‘unethical practices’.”

It was highlighted that a total of 18 individuals have been detained in relation to the tragic fire at the disco in Kočani, with 16 of them specifically linked to the incident.

He further noted, “A total of 71 individuals have been questioned, 42 in Skopje and 29 in Kočani. Fourteen individuals are facing a 48-hour detention order,” Toškovski added.

North Macedonia’s State Prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski mentioned yesterday that efforts to prosecute the 14 suspects in connection with the catastrophic Kočani disco fire are being expedited. This includes former Economy Minister and DUI opposition party member Krešnik Bekteši, for whom he has requested “short-term detention of up to 48 hours”.

The fire at the Puls discotheque in Kočani, located approximately 100 kilometers east of Skopje, tragically claimed 59 lives, with the number of injuries now reported to be 196, as updated by Toškovski.

The blaze erupted on Sunday, March 16, between 2:30 and 4:45 a.m., triggered by pyrotechnics during a performance by the group DNA, and was contained around 500:250 a.m. It is estimated that around 250 people were present at the disco during the incident, despite 500 tickets being sold.

The investigation revealed that the discotheque lacked a legal operating permit, did not have an adequate hydrant system or sufficient fire extinguishers, utilized pyrotechnics unlawfully, and there was no formal contract between the event organizers and the performing act.

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