President Maia Sandu sent a message of condolence after a devastating fire at a nightclub in Kočani town in North Macedonia killed 59 people and injured over 150 last Sunday, IPN reports.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Kočani, which has taken lives and injured many others. My heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and the people of North Macedonia. Our thoughts are with you during these difficult moments," said the head of state.

The international press reported that the fire broke out on Sunday, at around 02:30 a.m., at the Pulse club in Kočani, where almost 1,500 people were attending a concert given by DNK, a popular Macedonian hip-hop duo. The scene of the tragedy was a makeshift nightclub in a carpet warehouse, without operating permits and with only one exit, according to preliminary information. After the tragedy, 15 people were detained.