Dozens of people were killed when a fire ripped through an illegal nightclub in North Macedonia's southern city of Kocani, prompting a bribery and corruption investigation that has led to the arrests of several local officials who allegedly allowed the club to remain open, authorities said Sunday.
At least 59 people -- all ages 18 to 23 -- were killed and 155 others were injured, North Macedonian Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said during a news conference on Sunday. Among the victims was a police officer, who was in the Club Pulse nightclub on duty, Toshkovski said.
The fire was started during a pyrotechnic show onstage, according to sources at the scene.
As more details of the incident emerged, the families of the young people who attended the concert -- some of them underage -- appealed for information on social media, sharing phone numbers and personal details in the hope that those still missing can be found.
Serafimova told ABC News that only around half of the victims were carrying identification. Family members of the missing have been asked to come to Kocani hospital to help identify their loved ones, she added.
The blaze began around 2:35 a.m. local time, according to Toshkovski, who said the venue's roof was set on fire by pyrotechnics used by clubbers.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote on X, "The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable."
"The government is fully mobilized and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy," Mickoski added. "In these times of deep sadness, when our hearts are broken with pain due to this terrible tragedy, I call for unity, solidarity, humanity and responsibility."
Among those offering condolences from abroad was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery," he wrote in a post to X. "Ukraine mourns alongside our [North] Macedonian friends on this sad day."
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said his nation was ready "to provide any assistance that may be needed."
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said on X that she was "deeply saddened" by the "terrible tragedy."
ABC News' Somayeh Malekian contributed to this report.