Skilled soccer participant Andrej Lazarov was amongst greater than 50 individuals who died Sunday, March 16, in a hearth on the Pulse membership in Kočani in North Macedonia. He was 25.
Lazarov’s membership FC Shkupi confirmed the information on the workforce’s official Facebook page.
The younger athlete “misplaced his life attempting to assist others escape the fire-stricken house,” the membership wrote of his passing. “He suffocated from smoke throughout his makes an attempt to avoid wasting lives, exhibiting braveness and humanity till the final second. His heroic act will eternally stay in our reminiscence, as a testomony to his noble character and his large coronary heart.”
The membership additionally described Lazarov’s premature passing as a “big loss” for the workforce. “Phrases are small to explain the ache we’re feeling proper now, on this tragedy — one of many greatest hit by our membership in its historical past,” the submit learn.
North Macedonia’s Inside Minister, Panche Toshkovskithe, acknowledged that the fireplace started round 3:00 a.m. native time throughout a press convention on Sunday. No less than 59 folks have died and greater than 155 have been injured within the blaze, in response to Toshkkovskithe.
The Associated Press reported that the fireplace was possible triggered after pyrotechnics on stage hit the ceiling in the course of the band DNK’s set. “We even tried to get out by the lavatory, solely to search out bars (on the home windows),” Marija Taseva, who was on the occasion, advised the AP. “I by some means managed to get out. I fell down the steps they usually ran over me, trampled me. … I barely stayed alive and will hardly breathe.”
The blaze additionally triggered the roof of the constructing to partially collapse. Authorities have since blocked off the positioning. An account on X known as The Informant additionally reported that 27 of the injured have been handled at Skopje Metropolis Hospital, whereas 23 others have been handled on the metropolis’s Scientific Middle. “Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski known as it a tragic day, urging assist for the victims and their households,” the account famous.
Toshkovskithe additionally stated 15 folks have been detained for questioning after authorities came upon the membership was working with out the correct license. “We have now grounds for suspicion that there’s bribery and corruption on this case,” he additionally stated.
In September 2024, Grinta Company introduced Lazarov had signed to the North Macedonian soccer workforce.
“We’re pleased to announce Andrej Lazarov might be a part of FC Shkupi for the 2024/25 season,” the company wrote on Facebook on the time. “The gifted midfielder is again within the league wherein he contributed in 15 targets/assists the final time round.”