At least 59 people have died, and more than 155 others have been injured in a nightclub fire in North Macedonia, according to officials.

The fire started around 02:30 (01:30 GMT) at the Pulse club in Kocani, a town about 100 km (60 miles) east of the capital, Skopje. At the time, 1,500 people were attending a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop duo in the country.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described it as a ‘difficult and very sad day’ for the nation, mourning the loss of many ‘young lives.’

Arrest warrants have been issued for four individuals, with Interior Minister Pance Toskovski confirming at the scene that one man had been arrested. State news agency Mia reported that the club owner has also been detained.

Toskovski also stated that, according to initial reports, the fire was ignited by sparks from pyrotechnic devices that hit the ceiling, which was made of highly flammable material.

Footage shows the band performing on stage when two flares go off, causing sparks to ignite the ceiling, which quickly spreads the flames.

A video verified by the BBC shows people attempting to extinguish the flames on the ceiling.

The video also reveals that the club was still packed, with people seemingly watching the efforts to put out the fire rather than evacuating.