site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria's Solidarity with North Macedonia Surges in Wake of Deadly Nightclub Fire
Bulgaria Monday showed an outpouring of solidarity for the Republic of North Macedonia in the wake of Sunday's deadly nightclub fire, which killed 59 and injured more than 155 people.
The Council of Ministers declared March 18 a day of national mourning in memory of the victims of the tragedy in Kochani, the government information service said on Monday. The Government extended its condolences to the families of the deceased. In their memory, the national flags of State institutions will be flying at half-mast.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov offered condolences to the victims' families and expressed hope for the successful recovery of those injured. He added that there are currently 14 citizens of North Macedonia in Bulgarian hospitals in Sofia, Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria), and Varna (on the Black Sea).
“We are prepared to accommodate more people, depending on the situation with our colleagues in North Macedonia. We maintain constant communication, and our Ambassador is present on-site. Our readiness is evident, and we have made arrangements for the victims' relatives to come to Bulgaria to support the injured,” Zhelyazkov said.
Valentin Dimitrov, Director of the Pirogov Emergency Hospital in Sofia, said eight people injured in a nightclub fire in the Republic of North Macedonia had been admitted to the hospital, three of whom are aged 15 or 16. The other five are aged between 19 and 31.
Their condition is severe, with burns affecting their bodies, upper limbs and faces, as well as injuries to both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, further complicating their recovery. Dimitrov said three of the injured have been intubated, while the condition of the others will be further assessed to determine their treatment plan.
The Bulgarian Red Cross condoled with the families of the victims in the tragic incident. “It is with deep sadness and sympathy that we have learned of the tragic accident in the town of Kochani, which claimed 59 lives and left more than 150 injured. This is a tremendous loss for the victims’ families and loved ones, and the entire community in the Republic of North Macedonia,” the statement said.
“We share in their grief and empathize with the suffering of the victims,” the Bulgarian Red Cross said, adding that it stands ready to provide full support for the victims and their relatives, including psychological assistance, as well as to help during the recovery process.
Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil celebrated a Trisagion (a small service offered for the departed) for the victims of Sunday's fire in North Macedonia. Ambassador Agnesa Rusi of the Republic of North Macedonia attended the service at the St. Nedelya metropolitan church. A service of healing was held for those injured.
"Your Excellency, brothers and sisters, we grieve together with the people of North Macedonia in these days of mourning for those who perished in Kochani. We pray for the repose of their souls and offer our sincere and deepest condolences for the tragedy that has befallen you. We also pray for God's succour and support for all who survived this disaster but are weak and suffering from burns," Patriarch Daniil said.
In Skopje, students gathered in front of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in to pay their respects to the 59 young people who died in the early hours of Sunday.
Rain with thunder poured down in the area of the event, which started at noon, forcing the youths to temporarily enter the building. They observed seven minutes of silence as a sign of respect for the dead. Some students felt sick and ambulances had to be called, a BTA photographer in Skopje saw on the spot. Among those present was Education Minister Vesna Janevska.
/DD/
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