KOCANI, North Macedonia -- The mayor of a town in North Macedonia where dozens were killed in a nightclub fire has resigned.
Ljupco Papazov, the mayor of Kocani, submitted his resignation on March 17, two days after a blaze killed at least 59 people and injured 155 others. Over 40 people remain in critical condition.
Papazov denied any personal culpability and pledged to cooperate with the police in Kocani, which has been gripped by anger and grief.
Protesters took to the streets on March 17, demanding justice for the victims and accusing local officials of corruption.
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Angry Protests Erupt After Deadly Nightclub Fire In North Macedonia
Officials said a pyrotechnic display used during a concert ignited the fire in the crowded club, which authorities say they suspect did not have proper license to operate.
Interior Minister Pance Toskovski said on March 16 that the police have so far detained 15 people over the blaze, including the owner of the venue and former government officials.
Toskovski added that the authorities have “a reason to believe graft and corruption were involved in this case.”
He said the ceiling at the Pulse nightclub was made of flammable material that caught fire from the pyrotechnic sparks and that thick smoke quickly spread throughout the building. Video posted on social media showed towering flames reaching up out of the building's roof.
"There were about 500 people in the club -- 250 tickets had been sold," he said.
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Dozens Killed At Nightclub Fire In North Macedonia
Prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski confirmed, without providing details, that former Economics Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi had been called in for questioning.
Relatives and friends of victims crowded outside local hospitals and city offices, trying to get more information.
Aleksandar Mishev said he and others noticed the flames after the fire erupted and ran toward the nightclub, as young people were fleeing in panic.
"About 10 to 20 young people, we carried them to the hospital, took them out of there and then took them to the hospital," he told RFE/RL.
"I know many of them. And those I don’t know, I know their parents," another man, Stojan Guvchevski, said. "It's terrible."
“The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable,” Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in a post on X.
Kocani, with a population of some 25,000, is located about 100 kilometers east of the capital, Skopje.
North Macedonia, a country of 1.8 million people, has land borders with Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Serbia, is a member of NATO, and has aspirations of joining the European Union.
The leaders of Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Albania were among those sending messages of condolences following the tragedy.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed "deep regret" over the disaster. "Deep sorrow for the tragic fire, which claimed too many young lives in Kocani," she said in a statement.
US Ambassador Angela Aggeler sent condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the fire.
"My heart breaks this morning for the many victims of last night's fire at a nightclub in Kocani," she said.
"Our deepest condolences go to the victims and their loved ones at this awful time, and wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured. The loss of so many young lives in one community is a terrible tragedy."
"I have offered any assistance and the full resources of the US Embassy to the prime minister, as well as our prayers for all those who suffer today," she added.