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The tragedy in North Macedonia showed that people on both sides of the border need to rely on each other for our common European future, said the Bulgarian president

by AI | 19.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Bulgaria assured the Republic of North Macedonia of its readiness to provide additional assistance after the fire in Kochani

The national flag of Bulgaria in front of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia is flown at half-mast on the National Day of Mourning in memory of the victims in the town of Kochani. Photo: Blagoy Kirilov/BTA

SOFIA – The tragedy in the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM) showed that people on both sides of the border may need to rely on each other, not only in times of trials, but in the name of our common European future. This was stated by the Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. He signed the book of condolences at the RNM embassy in Sofia after the fire at a nightclub in the city of Kocani, which claimed the lives of 59 people and injured dozens. Bulgaria accepted some of the injured for treatment and declared March 18 as a National Day of Mourning in memory of the victims.

With a military plane and ambulances 15 of the injured were transported to Bulgaria. Bulgaria is ready and will continue to help with everything necessary, added President Radev. There is a shared pain for the loss of innocent human lives and a shared hope for the quick recovery of the injured, added the head of state.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Health of the Republic of North Macedonia Timcho Mucunski and Arben Taravari visited the hospital in Sofia, where nine of the injured are being treated. The two ministers were accompanied by their Bulgarian colleagues Georg Georgiev and Silvi Kirilov.

The Bulgarian government remains ready to provide additional help to its friends and neighbors, the country is prepared and will be able to accept more patients, noted the two Bulgarian ministers.

I want to express my gratitude to Bulgaria, the President and the entire Bulgarian people, this really leaves a strong impression with us, said the Minister of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia Arben Taravari.

In several cities in Bulgaria, blood donation campaigns have been organized for those injured in the Kocani tragedy.

The European Commission reported earlier this week that the Republic of North Macedonia has activated the EU civil protection mechanism and has requested assistance to evacuate 15 severely burned victims. Croatia, Greece, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Lithuania, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Norway have submitted offers of help through the mechanism, the report said. (March 18, 2025)