The European Union has responded to North Macedonia's request to help evacuate victims of a massive fire in a nightclub on the night from Saturday to Sunday.
The fire early on Sunday morning killed 59 people and injured more than 155 others. North Macedonia has since activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, asking for 15 patients who suffered serious burns to be evacuated.
Nine countries – Croatia, Greece, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Lithuania, Hungary, Luxembourg and Norway – have already offered their assistance through the mechanism, the European Commission said in a press release.
Several patients have already been evacuated to Hungary by Luxembourg, and Romania is transferring patients to Lithuania. "The EU is coordinating the transport of additional patients to countries that have provided assistance," a press release said. The EU remains in contact with the authorities and is ready to provide additional assistance if necessary.
B-FAST
"The EU stands in solidarity with the people of North Macedonia in this difficult period. I thank the European countries for their swift assistance to the victims through our Civil Protection Mechanism," said European Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of civil protection in order to improve prevention and response to disasters. In addition to the EU countries, ten other countries are also participating in the mechanism, including North Macedonia.
A team from the Belgian rapid intervention service B-FAST also left for North Macedonia on Sunday to provide urgent medical assistance to the victims of the fire, Prime Minister Bart De Wever said.
