Israel is preparing to dispatch medical experts to North Macedonia after a nightclub fire there killed 59 people and injured more than 150, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on Sunday.
“I spoke with my counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Timco Mucunski, to express our condolences for the terrible tragedy,” said Sa’ar.
“Israeli medical experts will travel to North Macedonia within the next day to provide medical assistance. I also suggested any other assistance needed. Israel stands by North Macedonia in this difficult time,” he added.
The delegation includes Israel’s non-resident ambassador to North Macedonia, doctors and nurses, in addition to burn and orthopedic specialists from the world-renowned Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer in Ramat Gan.
The team will work in full cooperation with local hospitals, which are struggling with heavy patient loads amid the disaster, to provide life-saving treatment and support the recovery of the wounded.
The Israeli delegation is expected to remain in North Macedonia for as long as its support is needed.
The blaze erupted at around 2:30 a.m. during a concert at the Pulse nightclub in the eastern town of Kocani. Macedonia’s Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said pyrotechnics had caused the roof of the club to catch fire.
“The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable,” tweeted Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
“The people and the government will do everything in their power to at least slightly alleviate their pain and help them in these most difficult moments,” he added.
