The fire started around 2.35am (6.35pm AEDT) on Sunday while a local pop group was performing at a concert, stated Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski. He mentioned that 39 of the deceased have been identified so far.
Following an initial assessment, Toshkovski said pyrotechnics likely caused the roof to catch fire.
As they awoke to news of the overnight tragedy, the country’s immediate neighbours and leaders from further afield in Europe sent condolences.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, expressed her deep sorrow on X and conveyed that the 27-nation bloc stands in solidarity with the people of North Macedonia. North Macedonia is aspiring for EU membership.
Various political figures from the region, including Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also sent their condolences.
“I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
