A popular singer in North Macedonia tragically lost his life after heroically rushing back into a fatal nightclub fire to save his young fans who were trapped inside.
On Sunday, a deadly inferno erupted in Club Pulse, killing 59 people and injuring well over 100 partygoers in Kočani — roughly 60 miles from the capital city of Skopje.
Andrej Gjorgieski, the lead singer of the popular Macedonian band DNK, selflessly charged back into open flames to save several of his young fans after his band performed at the club hours earlier.
The fire, which broke out at around 2:30 a.m., caused the roof of the single-story building to partially collapse, revealing the charred remains of wooden beams and debris.
Gjorgieski’s manager has since confirmed the devastating circumstances around his death, saying the beloved singer went back into the burning nightclub instead of running away from the blaze.
“I have never met such a good and humble person in my life,” his manager told the Independent.
Feared dead is the band’s photographer, Aleksandar Efremov, as well as backing singer Sara Projkovska, drummer Gjorgji Gjorgiev and keyboard player Filip Stevanovski.
One surviving member is thought to be receiving treatment in hospital, the outlet adds.
Following an initial assessment by officials, pyrotechnics likely caused the roof to catch fire. Videos showed chaos inside the club, with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible.
The club was in an old building that was previously a carpet warehouse and has been running for several years, according to local media MKD.
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
Thanks for signing up!
Asked if he wanted justice for the deaths in the venue, Spasoski, added: “We hope that this will make us all aware as a nation and that the state will not allow such tragedies to happen to us again.”
Officials said the injured have been taken to hospitals around the country, many with severe burns. The effort was being assisted by multiple volunteer organizations.
Health Minister Arben Taravari said 118 people have been hospitalized, adding that he had received offers of assistance from neighboring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia.
This is the worst tragedy in recent memory to befall the landlocked nation, whose population is less than 2 million.
With Post wires
