KOCANI, North Macedonia – North Macedonian communities are coming together on Thursday to hold funeral services for the victims of last weekend’s tragic nightclub fire, a disaster that has deeply affected the country. In multiple cities and towns, bereaved families are participating in burial ceremonies to honor the lives lost in the fire.
The inferno on March 16 resulted in 59 fatalities, predominantly young individuals, and included members of the pop band DNA who were performing at the time of the incident in the eastern town of Kocani. To ensure privacy for the mourning families, authorities have placed cordons around the cemeteries where services are being conducted.
In Kocani itself, 43 victims are being interred, and hundreds of mourners clad in black are making their way to the newly dug graves, each marked simply with paper signs. Many attendees carry white flowers or hold photographs of the loved ones they’ve lost.
A religious ceremony took place at the city cemetery, officiated by clergy from the nation’s Orthodox Church. Supporting the grieving families, Red Cross workers and emergency personnel were also present. Ahead of the burials, the spiritual leader of the country, Orthodox Archbishop Stefan, emphasized the importance of national unity and prayer for healing.
“We continuously pray for the salvation of the innocent victims, conduct memorial services for the fallen, and offer prayers for the recovery of the injured, alongside solace for their families and friends,” he stated. “In these trying times, national solidarity is crucial. We urge everyone to maintain inner peace and unity, and to mourn with dignity.”
Separate services are also being held in Skopje, the capital, and five other towns, where numerous businesses have closed to pay their respects to the deceased.
The investigation into this devastating incident is expanding. Among the detainees are seven police officers, part of over 20 people as authorities investigate both the lack of fire safety measures at the Pulse nightclub and allegations of illicitly obtained permits.
Health Minister Arben Taravari reported that 72 individuals remain hospitalized within North Macedonia, whilst 101 are receiving medical care abroad. The conditions of those hospitalized for burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries from the chaotic escape are reported as “stable or improved,” reducing earlier fears that the death toll might increase.