Authorities said that dozens of people died when a fire tore through an illegal nightclub located in the southern city of Kocani in North Macedonia. The incident prompted a corruption and bribery investigation, which led to the arrest of several local officials accused of allowing the club to stay open.

At least 59 people — all ages 18 to 23 — were killed and 155 others were injured, North Macedonian Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said during a news conference on Sunday. Among the victims was a police officer, who was in the Club Pulse nightclub on duty, Toshkovski said.

According to witnesses, the fire started when a pyrotechnic display was performed on stage.

According to Toshkovski, the nightclub operated illegally with a fake license and without a valid permit for more than one year.

Toshkovski stated that the nightclub had been packed with more than twice the capacity of its 250-person capacity at the time of the fire. There was only one escape route for the people.

Toshkovski stated that more than 20 individuals are suspected of wrongdoing. Police were questioned 15 people on Sunday.

Toshkovski reported that one of the organizers of the club was arrested under suspicion of being directly accountable for the fatal fire.

The names of those who were arrested or questioned have not been released immediately. Toshkovski did say that the list included the former secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy as well as senior officials from the Ministry.

Toshkovski said that the former regional director of protection and rescue, as well as three other employees from the institution, were being questioned in the course of the investigation. He also said that the fire killed some of those suspected in the illegal nightclub.

Toshkovski stated that all individuals with outstanding arrest warrants had been located.

Toshkovski stated that the Ministry of Economy and Public Prosecutor’s Office is collecting documents related to the nightclub and the people alleged to be responsible for the tragic event.

Dr. Kristina Sefimova, head of Kocani General Hospital said that those who died were killed due to smoke inhalation and burns, as well as a stampede caused by the fire. Serafimova stated that there was only one way out of the nightclub.

Serafimova & Toshkovski reported that 155 other people sustained injuries in the incident. They were all aged between 14-24. Serafimova & Toshkovski reported that at least 27 people were in critical condition, on respirators, and fighting for their lives.

Toshkovski reported that at least 13 critically injured victims had been transferred to Thessaloniki hospitals, in Greece, where they were treated.

A switchboard operator at one of the hospitals treating victims said, “It’s a catastrophic tragedy.”

The manager of DNK, a band that was performing in Club Pulse at the time of the fire, stated that the venue could hold up to 700 people. The manager of the band DNK, which was made up of eight performers, said that some of the members were injured in the fire.

Eight of the 11 members involved in the show, including the backstage crew, perished in the blaze, according to a person who is close to the group. Three people survived: a lead singer, a guitar player, and a backup vocalist.

Konstantin Kostantinov said that the 24-year-old drummer of DNK was among the victims who died in the fire at the nightclub. Konstantinos expressed his condolences to the families of those who died and said that North Macedonia was in mourning and shock over this tragedy.

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis, who is still hospitalized in Rome, expressed his condolences to Bishop Kiro Stojianov in Skopje in North Macedonia.

In a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin (the Vatican Secretary of State), the pope expressed his prayers “for those who have lost their lives and their loved ones.”

Families of young people, some of whom were underage, who attended the concert appealed on social media for information, posting their phone numbers and other personal details, in the hopes that the missing could be located.

Serafimova stated that only half of the victims carried identification. She added that family members of missing persons were asked to visit Kocani Hospital to assist in identifying their loved ones.

According to Toshkovski, the fire started around 2:35 am local time. He said that clubbers set off pyrotechnics on the roof of the venue.

Hristijan Micoski, the North Macedonian Premier, wrote on X: “The loss is irreparable and the pain is incomparable for the families and loved ones.”

Mickoski continued, “The government has mobilized to determine the cause of the tragedy and deal with its consequences. In these moments of sadness and pain, I appeal for solidarity, humanity, and responsibility.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, was among those who offered condolences. In a message to X, he said: “I wish the injured a rapid recovery.” “Ukraine mourns with our [North] Macedonian Friends on this sad day.”

Edi Rama, the Albanian Prime minister, said that his country was “ready to provide any assistance needed”.

Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, said on X she was “deeply moved” by this “terrible incident.”