Deadly Nightclub Fire in North Macedonia Kills 59, Injures Over 150
A massive fire broke out at Club Pulse in Kocani, North Macedonia, early on March 16, 2025, killing 59 people and injuring 155 others. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with initial reports pointing to pyrotechnics as a possible trigger.
Fire Breaks Out During Concert
The fire started around 2:30 a.m. while a local pop group performed. According to Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski, the fire spread rapidly after sparks from pyrotechnic devices ignited the club’s flammable ceiling materials. Videos captured chaos as attendees ran through thick smoke while musicians urged them to evacuate.
Families and Officials Respond
Rescue teams rushed victims to hospitals across North Macedonia, including facilities in Skopje, the country’s capital. Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed that 118 people remain hospitalized, many with severe burns. Countries including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia have offered medical assistance.
Families gathered outside hospitals, anxiously waiting for updates. Dragi Stojanov, a resident of Kocani, learned that his 21-year-old son, Tomce, did not survive.
“He was my only child. I don’t need my life anymore,” Stojanov told reporters, devastated by the loss.
Authorities Investigate Cause
The nightclub operated in a converted warehouse and had been open for several years. Following the fire, police cordoned off the site and launched an investigation with state prosecutors. Officials are reviewing the venue’s licensing and safety measures.
Authorities have already arrested one person, though they have not disclosed further details. Ljubco Kocevski, a state prosecutor, confirmed that several individuals are under police questioning as the investigation continues.
National Mourning and Global Condolences
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited burn victims at a hospital in Skopje and spoke to grieving parents.
“It’s terrible… hard to believe this happened,” she said, urging survivors to stay strong.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called it a “difficult and sad day” for North Macedonia. He pledged government support for affected families and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
Condolences poured in from across Europe. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed sorrow, stating that the EU shares the grief of North Macedonia. Leaders from Albania, Ukraine, and the European Commission also extended sympathies.
Similar Tragedies in the Region
Nightclub fires caused by pyrotechnics have led to deadly incidents in the past. In 2015, a fire at Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest, Romania, killed 64 people. In 2021, a hospital fire in Tetovo, North Macedonia, claimed 14 lives. These tragedies raise concerns about fire safety standards in public venues.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Authorities continue to examine evidence and interview witnesses. The government faces mounting pressure to review safety regulations and ensure similar disasters do not happen again.
North Macedonia now mourns one of its worst tragedies in recent history, as families, officials, and communities come together to support the victims and seek justice.
More…
