KOCANI, North Macedonia — In the early hours of Sunday, a devastating fire swept through a tightly packed nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, claiming the lives of 59 people and injuring 155. The fire occurred during a live concert, and in the ensuing panic, many were injured by burns, smoke inhalation, and the chaotic rush to escape through the venue’s single exit. Among the injured were individuals as young as 16.
Witnesses reported that the fire started after stage pyrotechnics ignited the ceiling, leading to a frantic scramble as young attendees fled amid smoke-filled conditions. Musicians on stage implored the crowd to evacuate swiftly. “We even tried to get out through the toilet only to find bars on the windows,” recounted Marija Taseva, 19, who survived with facial injuries after being trampled while attempting to escape from Club Pulse.
In the aftermath, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed that 15 people were detained as preliminary investigations revealed that the nightclub was overcrowded, with attendance at twice its legal capacity of 250 and lacking proper operational licenses. The Minister indicated potential corruption but did not provide further details.
The disaster prompted heartfelt condolences from across Europe, including messages from the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pope Francis, despite being hospitalized with double pneumonia, also expressed his sympathies. Offers of medical assistance from neighboring countries like Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey were graciously accepted by the government, with paramedics from Serbia and Bulgaria joining local efforts.
Kocani residents, desperate for news on family members, gathered outside hospitals and municipal offices. Dragi Stojanov tearfully shared the devastating news of losing his only son, 21-year-old Tomce, in the blaze. He expressed profound grief and frustration, lamenting the impact on the 150 affected families and the pervasive influence of organized crime.
As the tragedy unfolded, medical facilities across North Macedonia, especially in the capital Skopje, were inundated with patients requiring urgent care for severe burns and smoke inhalation. Volunteer organizations played a critical role in supporting these efforts.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited the injured in hospitals, offering comfort to families and urging resilience in the face of this horrific event. “We must give these young people courage to continue,” she stated emotionally.
The severity of the fire led to a partial collapse of the nightclub’s roof, with police securing the area and state prosecutors on scene gathering evidence. Such incidents are not unprecedented, as pyrotechnics have previously triggered deadly fires in nightclubs worldwide, reminiscent of the tragic 2015 Colectiv club fire in Bucharest, Romania.
