North Macedonia nightclub fire toll rises to 63

The death toll from a North Macedonia nightclub fire rose to 63 on Tuesday, when a musician died of his injuries almost seven months after the blaze, the country’s prosecutor said. (AP/File)

• Vladimir Blazev-Panco, a 46-year-old singer with the band DNK, died in Skopje early in the day
• Eight musicians from the band were among the victims of the club fire

SKOPJE: The death toll from a North Macedonia nightclub fire rose to 63 on Tuesday, when a musician died of his injuries almost seven months after the blaze, the country’s prosecutor said.
Vladimir Blazev-Panco, a 46-year-old singer with the band DNK, died in Skopje early in the day after being hospitalized due to serious injuries, the prosecutor confirmed.
On March 16, a fire at a hip-hop concert in the eastern town of Kocani triggered a stampede in the overcrowded nightclub, leaving dozens dead and injuring nearly 200.
Eight musicians from the band were among the victims of the club fire that caused shock in the small Balkan country.
The blaze was sparked by fireworks in the venue.
Prosecutors alleged the club met almost no safety standards.
Earlier this month, a court approved an indictment against 34 people, a key step toward a trial of those charged for one of Europe’s deadliest nightclub fires.
After the approved indictments, a judge is expected to set a date for the trial.
Those charged include one government minister, two former ministers, the club’s owner, building inspectors and three former Kocani mayors.
In a separate anti-corruption and organized crime probe, dozens of police officers and officials have also been linked to the fatal blaze.
The parents of those killed and injured, most aged between 16 and 26, continue to gather every weekend in a peaceful call for justice.