In the small town of Kocani in eastern North Macedonia, families gathered at the local hospital anxiously awaiting news. Among them was Tomco Stojanov, who already bore the brunt of tragic news: his 25-year-old son, Andrej, was among those who perished in the horrific nightclub fire on Sunday. The fire led to numerous fatalities, many of whom were trampled in a frantic rush for safety.
Grieving with a heavy heart, Stojanov shared, “Thank you for your condolences, but my pain is incurable. The wound is incurable.” Holding a photograph of Andrej dressed in a suit jacket, he continued, “He died while returning and entering to save other people. And he was pushed, run over, that’s how my son died.”
North Macedonia, a nation of 2 million, is grappling with the heart-wrenching loss of young lives, determined to find those accountable. The blaze tore through Club Pulse, an establishment overflowing during a live concert, claiming 59 lives and injuring over 150 from burns, smoke inhalation, and being trampled. Disturbing footage showed pyrotechnics from the stage sparking the inferno that engulfed the club, leaving confusion and chaos in its wake.
Authorities are thoroughly investigating allegations of bribery related to the fire. It is believed the club was filled to twice its capacity with youthful partygoers. This disaster has sent shockwaves throughout the closely-knit communities, leaving a lasting impact as the country declared seven days of mourning. President Gordana Davkova Siljanovska expressed her personal distress: “We are all in shock, and I am shocked myself: as a mother, as a person, as a president.”
In response, the North Macedonian government has initiated a comprehensive three-day inspection of nightlife venues nationwide to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated. Preliminary investigations by State Prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski revealed critical safety lapses, from insufficient emergency exits and fire extinguishers to lack of access for emergency personnel, further exacerbated by the destructive choices of using flammable materials indoors.
The enormity of the tragedy is reflected in the somber scenes in Kocani, where rescue workers grimly carried away victims from beneath the charred remains of the venue. Forensic experts are working diligently to identify the deceased, processing bodies from morgues in batches due to the high casualty count.
Surrounding nations like Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey have stepped forward to assist, accommodating upwards of 50 seriously injured victims in their medical facilities. Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed the stability of those transferred abroad and expressed hope for favorable news regarding their recovery.
Meanwhile, ten individuals are being detained for interrogation by police, exploring the operation of Club Pulse without a legitimate license. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski further disclosed that the crowd at the nightclub far exceeded the authorized capacity of 250.
Messages of sympathy have been pouring in throughout Europe, including support from the office of Pope Francis. In solidarity, the small town of Kocani held a candlelight vigil, with residents queued to light candles in memory and mourning of the young lives taken.
“The country has not faced such a catastrophe,” reflected Beti Delovska, an economist from the capital, Skopje. She remarked on the exodus of youth striving for brighter futures abroad, and shared her concerns about the systemic failings in North Macedonia’s institutions. Delovska expressed a poignant sentiment, “(North) Macedonia is on its death bed. We have no more credible institutions; the health system is completely dismantled; education is poor; judiciary is partisan and corrupted to the bone. … I do believe now that only God can save (North) Macedonia.”
