SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
On Sunday, US Ambassador Angela Aggeler reacted to the “terrible tragedy” at the Kocani nightclub.
“My heart breaks this morning for the many victims in last night’s fire at a nightclub in Kocani. Our deepest condolences go to the victims and their loved ones at this awful time, and wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured. The loss of so many young lives in one community is a terrible tragedy. I have offered any assistance and the full resources of the US Embassy to the Prime Minister, as well as our prayers for all those who suffer today”, she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Presidents and PMs of multiple countries, as well as other foreign politicians and institutions, extended condolences too.
“My condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones, President @gogamkd [President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova], and the Macedonian people. I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine mourns alongside our Macedonian friends on this sad day”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
EU Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said her organisation shared the grief and pain of North Macedonia’s people.
“Deeply saddened about the tragic fire, which claimed too many young lives in Kocani. My condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. I wish a swift recovery to the injured. The EU shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia”, she said.
Condolences were also extended by Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov had a phone call with counterpart Hristijan Mickoski, extending condolences over the deaths and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
“At the most difficult moments, we stay together, which is why I proposed to the counterpart the help Bulgaria can offer”, he noted.
Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his thoughts were with the victims and their families, wishing also a speedy recovery to those injured. Greece, he added, is ready to help in the difficult times. Also, Greece’s Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis had a phone call with counterpart Timco Mucunski over the tragedy. The former expressed Greece’s readiness to provide any necessary assistance, including life-saving rescue teams and medical support.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had a phone call with counterpart Siljanovska Davkova, extending condolences. Also, he said she’d accepted Serbia’s offer to send helicopters and other medical means of transport, medical teams, as well as to admit a big number of those injured in Serbian hospitals. In addition, Serbia will declare 18 March a day of mourning.
“I voiced conviction that the people of brotherly North Macedonia, with the strength and solidarity always shown by them, would manage to overcome this big tragedy and find a way to recover”, Vucic added.
Condolences were extended also by the Albanian President and PM, Bajram Begaj and Edi Rama, respectively. The former said his country was ready to provide any necessary help.
Kosovan PM Albin Kurti said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of lives”.
Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina members Denis Becirovic and Zeljko Komsic extended condolences as well, in telegrams sent to PM Hristijan Mickoski and President Siljanovska Davkova.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, too, said its thoughts were with North Macedonia’s people during the difficult time.
The Catholic Church, through its Bishop in Skopje, Kiro Stojanov, extended condolences as well, as did Pope Francis, in a telegram, in which he expressed his “profound condolences” and assured of his “spiritual closeness to the injured”, Vatican News reported.
Later on Sunday, media reported that condolences had been extended also by, among others, Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
