KOCANI, North Macedonia — On Tuesday, municipal workers in Kocani began preparing graves for the numerous youths who lost their lives in a catastrophic nightclub fire. This tragedy has prompted authorities to brace for yet more public demonstrations likely to occur in urban centers throughout North Macedonia.
The nightclub incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Kocani, was reportedly triggered by indoor pyrotechnics. This, compounded with multiple safety violations, resulted in the deaths of 59 individuals during a live music event and left over 150 injured.
In response to the disaster, government officials have called for peace as organized student rallies and other community protests were scheduled for later on Tuesday. The fire has incited public outrage, amid accusations of corruption and bribery enabling the safety infringements at the club.
In preparation for the impending burials, workers equipped with excavators were seen digging rows of graves in anticipation of the interment of local young people. The remains are still undergoing identification processes. “It’s extremely tragic. My tears haven’t stopped for days,” expressed Kocani resident Dragi Ignjatov. “We’ve lost children we knew. It’s a monumental loss for Macedonia and our community.”
The previous day, demonstrations were carried out in Kocani and the capital city, Skopje. Some of these protests escalated into unrest, with demonstrators in Kocani overturning a vehicle, throwing stones at a municipal office, and vandalizing a cafeteria suspected of having shared ownership with the nightclub.
In light of the turmoil, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski urged restraint during a televised interview, stating, “We must prioritize rational behavior. Let the prosecutors conduct their inquiries to eventually restore order.”
Ongoing investigations have disclosed that the nightclub exceeded its legal capacity of 250 attendees, operating without necessary permits. The venue was cited for severe safety lapses—including the absence of emergency exits, insufficient fire safety equipment, use of flammable materials, and lack of a sprinkler system. In the chaos, many were trampled in a desperate attempt to escape through a lone exit.
In a show of support, Serbia and Bulgaria, who offered immediate aid following the incident, declared a national day of mourning to express solidarity with North Macedonia.
Medical professionals from the Czech Republic, Serbia, and Israel have arrived to assist in treating the injured, confirmed an official from the Health Ministry. The European Union is facilitating the transportation of burn victims to medical facilities in nearby nations.
Currently, approximately 50 patients are receiving treatment in neighboring regions, with most suffering from severe burn injuries.
This calamity has sharpened the focus on corruption issues in North Macedonia. The EU had previously identified corruption as a significant hindrance to the country’s potential EU membership. An investigation is underway into the allegations that nightclub proprietors bribed officials to sidestep safety protocols.
In response to this incident, the national government has mandated comprehensive inspections of all nightclub venues and entertainment facilities across the country.
Meanwhile, in adjacent Greece, North Macedonian ministers of foreign affairs and health visited hospitalized victims, aged 19, 25, and 26, who are receiving intensive care for burn injuries. Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski poignantly referred to the fire as “the most tragic moment in the history of my nation.”
