SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The death toll from last month’s deadly in North Macedonia has risen to 61 after a second critically injured victim died while receiving treatment in Lithuania, authorities said. The North Macedonian Health Ministry confirmed Tuesday that a 29-year-old man, with severe burns and respiratory had died Monday. He was the second patient to die in Lithuania in the past week.
The March 16 blaze erupted during a a pyrotechnic display at live concert inside a packed indoor nightclub in the . About 650 people were inside at the time, according to prosecuting authorities, and most victims were young revelers.
Seven injured victims remain hospitalized in , while 64 others are being treated abroad in hospitals across Europe, Health Minister Arben Taravari said.
Investigators are probing fire safety violations and illegal operating permits. Thirty-four people remain in custody, including a former finance minister and seven senior police officers. Prosecutors said all but one of the suspects face potential sentences of up to 20 years if convicted.
The Associated Press