Former North Macedonia youth international Andrej Lazarov has tragically passed away after attempting to save others from a fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia. The football community is in shock, with tributes pouring in for the 25 year old.
His club, FC Shkupi, expressed deep sorrow in an official statement:
“With deep sorrow, we announce that our footballer, Andrej Lazarov, was among the victims of the tragic fire in Kočani. As the heroic person he was, Lazarov lost his life while trying to help others escape the flames. During his courageous act, he was overcome by smoke. His bravery and humanity in those final moments will always be remembered. This is an immense loss for our club, his teammates, and the football community. Words cannot express our grief.”
Lazarov had only joined FC Shkupi in September.
The devastating incident occurred in the town of Kočani, where hip-hop duo DNK was performing at the Pulse nightclub. According to Interior Minister Pance Toskovski, the fire was caused by pyrotechnics. As quoted by the Daily Mail, Toskovski explained:
“At the moment of activating the so-called sprinklers, the sparks caught the ceiling, which was made of easily flammable material. Within a very short period, the fire spread across the entire discotheque, creating thick smoke.”
The disaster claimed at least 59 lives, leaving 155 others injured. Lazarov was rushed to the hospital, and initial reports suggested he was improving. However, he unfortunately lost his life due to complications from severe smoke inhalation.
His selfless act in the face of danger has made him a hero.
Leave a Reply