The Minister of Internal Affairs, Panče Toškovski, has announced that 15 people are in police custody following the fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, which resulted in the deaths of at least 59 people.

Toškovski stated that among those arrested are employees of the Ministry of Economy, nightclub staff, as well as the former director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue.

“As of this moment, there are more than 20 suspects related to this criminal case. Around 15 people are in police custody. Some of the suspects linked to this case have lost their lives. Four individuals are currently under medical supervision in the hospital, including two band members, the nightclub owner’s son, and the manager of the company that operated the nightclub. Some of those detained, who are currently in police custody, have direct responsibility for this criminal event based on the evidence we have.

Based on the current evidence, one person has been arrested as the event organizer, and we suspect that he is directly responsible for committing specific criminal acts related to this case.

Additionally, the former state secretary of the Ministry of Economy has been arrested, as well as the current head of a sector within the same ministry. The former director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue and three employees of the Directorate have also been detained,” Toškovski stated.