Türkiye receives 9 burn victims from deadly North Macedonia nightclub fire

Türkiye has begun receiving severely injured victims from a catastrophic nightclub fire in North Macedonia that claimed at least 59 lives, following urgent diplomatic arrangements between the two countries.

Nine critically injured patients arrived in Türkiye overnight, with three being transported to Istanbul’s Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital Burn Center by ambulance aircraft. According to official sources, the remaining six patients were flown to Ankara for specialized care.

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu confirmed the medical evacuations on social media, stating: “We are deeply saddened to learn about those who lost their lives and were injured in the fire in Kocani, North Macedonia. Following official contacts, we acted immediately.”

“We are transporting three severely injured patients to our Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital by ambulance aircraft for treatment. Patient care will continue at Europe’s largest burn center within our city hospital,” Memisoglu added. “We will continue to transport new patients for treatment if needed.”

The ambulance plane belonging to the Ministry of Health landed at Sabiha Gokcen Airport, where patients were immediately transferred to waiting ambulances and rushed to the burn treatment center.

Background on North Macedonia nightclub tragedy

The devastating fire began around 3:00 a.m. local time on Sunday at Club Pulse in Kocani, approximately 100 kilometers east of Skopje.

More than 1,000 people were attending a performance by the popular hip-hop duo DNK when the blaze erupted.

North Macedonia’s Interior Minister Pance Toskovski indicated that pyrotechnic devices used during the performance likely ignited flammable ceiling materials, causing the fire to spread rapidly throughout the venue and creating thick, toxic smoke that hampered evacuation efforts.

“Initially, we didn’t believe there was a fire. Then there was huge panic in the crowd and a stampede to get out,” one survivor told local media from outside a hospital in Skopje.

The fire has become one of the deadliest nightclub incidents in recent European history. Of the 59 victims, authorities have identified 35 thus far, including 31 from Kocani and four from Stip. The head of Kocani hospital, Kristina Serafimovska, reported that most of the injured were between the ages of 14 and 25.

“Seventy of the patients have burns and carbon monoxide poisoning,” Serafimovska said.

One of the DNK performers, Vladimir Blazev, suffered burns to his face and is receiving breathing assistance, according to his sister.

International response to North Macedonia nightclub tragedy

North Macedonia has declared seven days of national mourning following the tragedy, and authorities have issued arrest warrants for four individuals allegedly connected to the fire.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called the fire “a difficult and very sad day” for the country. “The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the grief of their families, their loved ones, and their friends is immeasurable,” he wrote on social media.

Leaders from across Europe have expressed condolences and offered assistance. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov called the fire “a huge human tragedy” and offered medical evacuation support.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed solidarity, saying “Greece stands ready to assist in this difficult time.” Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama shared he was “at a loss for words” and pledged assistance if needed.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, also expressed condolences, stating that “the EU shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia.”

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and conveying solidarity with North Macedonia. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life because of a fire during a concert in Kocani, North Macedonia, today (16 March),” the statement read. “We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of North Macedonia, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”

As investigations into the fire’s cause continue and the country grapples with this national tragedy, international medical support, including Türkiye’s specialized care for the most critically injured victims.