KOCANI, North Macedonia — In the aftermath of a tragic nightclub fire in North Macedonia, grieving families gathered outside a hospital, seeking updates on their loved ones. Among them was Tomco Stojanov, who had already learned the heartbreaking fate of his son, Andrej. The 25-year-old was killed in the fire that claimed dozens of lives, many crushed underfoot during desperate attempts to escape.
The father, clutching a photograph of his deceased son dressed smartly in a suit, expressed his immeasurable grief. “My pain is incurable,” he shared, lamenting Andrej’s heroic attempt to save others, which ultimately cost him his life as he was pushed and trampled in the chaos.
North Macedonia continues to deal with the devastating loss of youthful lives in the blaze that erupted at the Club Pulse in Kocani on Sunday. The authorities are now probing alleged corruption linked to the fire that ravaged the overcrowded nightclub, which was well beyond its capacity limit with the exuberant young crowd.
During a live concert, pyrotechnics sparked a fire that rapidly consumed the venue, resulting in 59 fatalities and injuring over 150 who suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and were trampled amidst the frantic efforts to escape through the building’s sole exit.
Entities from the extended North Macedonian families grieve deeply amidst ongoing investigations into the tragedy. The event has not only reverberated throughout the nation of two million people but has also added to the somber series of catastrophic nightclub fires seen globally. The victims included people as young as 16, prompting the nation to observe seven days of mourning.
“We are all in shock,” said North Macedonian President Gordana Davkova Siljanovska in her speech to the nation, reflecting the collective devastation and her personal anguish as both a leader and a mother.
In response to the tragedy, the national government launched a thorough three-day inspection across all nightclubs and cabarets, enforcing a more stringent safety protocol starting Monday.
State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski disclosed the preliminary findings which revealed critical safety breaches at the nightclub, such as the absence of emergency exits and inadequate fire-extinguishing equipment, along with access issues for emergency services.
A collapse of the building’s roof exposed the burnt remnants within, painting a grim picture of the structural failures that compounded the calamity.
“The system has failed significantly,” the prosecutor affirmed, highlighting critical deficiencies like the lack of sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and the presence of highly flammable materials lining the club’s walls.
The national sentiment is weighted with grief as the affected community watches harrowing footage of recovery efforts in Kocani, a town of 25,000 where rescue teams tirelessly worked to retrieve the bodies of victims.
In the aftermath, the process of identifying the deceased involved transferring bodies in groups from morgues due to the overwhelming number of casualties.
International aid swiftly followed, with neighboring countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey, extending medical support by accepting critically injured patients, while medical teams were dispatched to assist on-site.
Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed the stability of patients relocated abroad, hoping for favorable developments in their recovery.
Investigations have led to the detainment of 10 individuals for questioning. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed that the club was operating without a valid license and had exceeded twice its authorized occupant limit of 250.
European leaders conveyed their sympathies, including messages from the Vatican during Pope Francis’s hospitalization.
Residents of Kocani convened for a candlelight vigil, standing together in solidarity, showing support for grieving families by illuminating church candles.
Beti Delovska, an economist based in Skopje, reflected on the vast impact of this tragedy, noting the departure of many promising young citizens seeking better opportunities. She lamented the deteriorating state of national institutions, asserting that salvation must come from a higher power.
