Tragedy in Macedonia: 15 Arrested Among Them Even Former State Officials

More than 20 people are suspected, while 15 of them have been arrested in connection with the fire that erupted at the discotheque in Kocan, resulting in the loss of 59 lives and 155 were injured, reports the report. AlsatM, broadcast Periscope.

Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski announced that among those arrested there are organisers of the night club event, members in charge of party security, but also representatives of institutions such as former Economy Ministry Secretary and former Director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue.

There are more suspects, more than 20 people. About 15 people are at the police station. Part of the suspects in the cause of this criminal event have passed away, according to allegations we have so far from the suspect's face of”.

A piece is in the hospital. 4 people have presently been provided in the hospital, two members of the band, the son of the discotheque owner and director of the lawman who managed the discotheque. Some of the arrested persons who are currently at the police station are people who are directly guilty of this criminal event according to the evidence we have collected so far. A person who is organising the” event has been arrested, said Pance Toshkovski, minister of Internal Affairs.

“also, arrested are former Economy Ministry Secretary, former leader, I think even the current sector within the Ministry of Economy. We have arrested former Director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue and three employees under the Directorate”, the minister said further.

Toskovski also confirmed that the burned club has not had valid licenses for work, and that, according to him, is linked to corruption.

This company doesn't. I don't want to reveal any more details in that direction because we are in the very early phase under this procedure, but I want to say, and that's that this license, just like many other jobs in the past in Macedonia, is related to bribery and corruption”, Panche Toshkovski stressed.

He also announced that a total of 500 attended the party last night, while a total of 59 victims so far 3 have identified 3 minors.

So far over 20 minors who have been injured and 3 minors have passed away. There was a club somewhere, according to the first information we have, about 500 people. About 250 tickets were sold according to the information we acquired. The names of the deceased will be handed over after their identification. Most of the victims have been identified. All the bodies that were under the scene were removed from the scene. In critical condition we have 22 people and some of these persons will be transferred to Turkey, a part in Bulgaria, a part in Greece and the same will be given corresponding treatment for their treatment”, the Interior Minister said further.