We showed that the state and institutions, especially with doctors, nurses and health workers, when we are together, committed, we can respond to any challenge. The Ministry of Internal Affairs demonstrated maximum professional readiness in the field of transport and the undertaking of all responsibilities for everything needed to respond to medical services as quickly as possible. This was emphasized today by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Pance Toshkoski, in his speech at the first panel "European Civil Protection Mechanism and International Response: Coordination, Solidarity and Experiences" within the framework of the "International Conference on Institutional and Clinical Aspects and Solutions after the Fire in Kocani", which is being held today in Skopje.
He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and gratitude to all those who helped cope with the tragedy.
"I believe that their solidarity, openness and willingness to help were essential for us to be able to respond as adequately as possible to everything that happened, which was a great tragedy," Toshkovski concluded.
According to him, the civil protection simulation exercise that was conducted shortly before the tragedy in Kocani, with the participation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Red Cross, and the Skopje City Fire Department, was instructive on what needs to be improved and how to react in the future.
"On February 1, 2025, we participated in the exercise, at the Kadino location in Skopje, in a simulated traffic accident between a van transporting migrants and a bus with many victims. All these institutions had to react within their competences, to react as quickly as possible, in order to have the best possible response to the situation that had arisen. This exercise was really very well organized and very useful not only for the members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who were at the scene, secured the event, conducted interviews with potential perpetrators of each crime, with witnesses, provided assistance to the victims and accompanied them to health institutions. It was of great benefit to all the institutions that were on the ground," said Toshkovski.
The exercise, he emphasized, has been useful for what they need to improve and how to react in the future. All participants concluded that there should be more such exercises in the future in order to be better prepared for undesirable situations that may occur.
On the day of the tragedy, but also in the days after, he emphasized, the Ministry engaged around 3.000 police officers, who, in addition to securing the scene of the incident, conducted an inspection, undertook all criminal-operative activities related to the criminal-legal event and were involved in all subsequent actions related to saving people's lives, transporting patients, and the like.
He wished that such a disaster would never happen again.
t7 live
