Pope Francis Offers Condolences After Deadly Nightclub Fire in North Macedonia

Pope Francis has expressed his profound condolences for the 59 victims of a nightclub fire in Kočani, North Macedonia, which also left 155 injured. The fire erupted during a concert attended by around 1,500 people, likely triggered by indoor fireworks that ignited the highly flammable ceiling. In a telegram, the Pope assured the families of the deceased, mostly young individuals aged 14 to 27, of his prayers and support for the injured. North Macedonia's Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the incident as a 'difficult and very sad day,' pledging that the government will thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire. Condolences have been sent from various leaders, including Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who offered support to those affected by the tragedy. The government has arrested the event organizers and venue owners as part of the investigation.