Today, the small Macedonian town of Kochani is saying a final goodbye to its children who died in the March 16 fire at the Pulse disco. 59 young people, most of them between the ages of 14 and 25, died in the town's worst tragedy, reports BGNES envoy to North Macedonia Dimitar Ruskov.

The majority of the deceased hailed from Kochani, while the others came from Cheshinovo-Obleshevo, Shtip, Probishtip and Skopje. Kochani is overwhelmed by complete silence as it mourns its lost future. The town will no longer see the smiles of its many inhabitants. 

Thousands of Macedonian citizens across the country have expressed their sympathy for the grief of the families with peaceful demonstrations, but no one and nothing can ever comfort a parent who has lost their offspring.

The fire at the Pulse disco broke out in the early hours of 16 March. 59 people died and 165 were injured. All of Macedonia is praying that the number of dead does not increase. The most seriously injured are being treated abroad, 15 of them in Bulgaria.

Funeral ceremonies will begin at 11:00 local time (12:00 Bulgarian time) in Shtip, at 12:00 in Kochani and at 13:00 in the village of Obleshevo. In Skopje, the fallen members of the DNA group will be buried. The funerals will be carried out in coordination with the families.

The clergy of the local churches have contacted all the bereaved families.

Koca priest Dimitar Arsovski confirmed that the funeral will be officiated by His Beatitude Archbishop Stefan of North Macedonia.

"Believers who wish to honor the children may do so after 11:30. We ask for your dignified and Christian conduct," he said.

On March 18, an ambulance driver, Ile Gotsevsky, who died after transporting the seriously injured from the Pulse Disco for hours, was buried.

The police published a special protocol and will provide an area for media representatives located 300 meters from the entrance of the chapel next to the city cemetery in Kochani. The measure is aimed at protecting the privacy of the victims' families and respecting their personal pain and dignity. The ban on the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) will also apply in this area. | BGNES