Residents of Kočani gathered on Sunday night to light candles in honor of the victims. REUTERS
North Macedonia has declared seven days of mourning following a deadly nightclub fire in Kočani that killed at least 59 people and left many injured. Authorities have detained 15 people for questioning, including nightclub employees, and are investigating the incident. The fire occurred at Pulse nightclub during a hip-hop concert and is believed to have been caused by pyrotechnic effects used in the show.
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed that the nightclub was operating without a valid business license. He also mentioned that the licensing process in the country has been tainted by corruption, though he did not provide further details. Over 20 people are under investigation, and the authorities are looking into other individuals suspected of involvement.
The victims were mainly teenagers and young adults. More than 155 people were injured, with many critically hurt. The nightclub was an improvised venue, previously used as a carpet warehouse. Local media reports stated that the club lacked proper fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers. It was also overcrowded, with about 1,500 people inside, far exceeding the venue’s capacity. The club had only one exit, which made it difficult for people to escape when the fire broke out.
The fire started at around 2:35 a.m. local time and quickly spread throughout the club. Marija Taseva, a 22-year-old survivor, described the panic that ensued when the fire broke out. People were screaming to escape, and in the chaos, she was trampled while trying to flee. Sadly, she lost contact with her sister during the stampede. Her sister did not survive the fire. "My sister died," Taseva said tearfully.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova expressed sorrow over the tragedy and promised authorities would do everything possible to support the victims’ families. Medical officials reported that many of the injured suffered severe burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Plans are in place to transfer the critically wounded to specialized hospitals across Europe.
Dr. Kristina Serafimova, the head of the local hospital, confirmed that some patients were on respirators and fighting for their lives. This is the deadliest disaster in North Macedonia since the early 1990s. The country has a population of about 1.8 million, and the loss has deeply shaken the entire nation.
The fire was possibly caused by the use of pyrotechnic devices on stage during the concert. Sparks from these devices ignited the flammable ceiling material, quickly spreading the fire. The government has vowed to conduct inspections of nightclubs and other venues to ensure they meet international safety standards. Toshkovski emphasized that finding the truth behind the fire would be crucial to preventing similar incidents in the future.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, neighboring countries such as Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Albania offered assistance. Senior European Union officials also extended their condolences, and Pope Francis sent prayers for the victims and their families.
