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Government spokesperson Marija Miteva said that out of 50
establishments inspected in several cities, only 22 had valid
licenses.
“For all premises with expired licenses or no license at all,
the state market inspectorate has ordered the suspension of
activities until all necessary documents are reviewed and
validated,” Miteva said.
The deadly fire that erupted in the eastern town of Kocani on
Sunday occurred while pyrotechnics were being used at an indoor
venue later found to have multiple safety and licensing
violations.
Authorities said Wednesday that 16 people remain in custody for
questioning, following police interviews with more than 70
individuals.
North Macedonia has declared a week of national mourning after
the disaster, which has profoundly shaken this small Balkan
nation of two million people and triggered protests and large
outdoor vigils.
Funeral services for the mostly young concertgoers are scheduled
for Thursday in Kocani, and authorities said autopsies and
formal identifications have been completed. Memorial services
will also be held elsewhere in the country.
“Let us be calm, let us be gentle, let us be peaceful, patient.
Let our prayers and our thoughts be directed towards our
deceased, but also towards our injured for their health and
recovery,” said Metropolitan Bishop Ilarion of Bregalnica, a
region that includes Kocani.
Among the 150 injured, dozens of patients have been transferred
to hospitals across Europe, primarily for burn treatment.
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Greece are providing support in an
EU-backed effort.
Stojance Angelov, who heads the country’s crisis management
agency, said the country’s Orthodox Church is leading the
funeral arrangements.
He added in an online post: “No words can truly capture the
depth of this tragedy or express the overwhelming sadness I
feel. Broken by grief, I cannot find anything strong enough to
convey my condolences to the families who lost their beloved
sons and daughters.”
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Gatopoulos reported from in Athens, Greece.
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