A tragic fire tore through Club Pulse, a nightclub located in the eastern town of Kocani, North Macedonia, killing 59 people early Sunday morning. The inferno, which broke out around 2:30 am, was reportedly ignited by on-stage fireworks during a concert for the popular hip-hop duo DNK. Nearly 500 people were crammed inside the club, which had sold only 250 tickets, leading to a calamitous scene when the venue filled with smoke and panic ensued.
According to authorities, 155 individuals were injured as they tried to flee the flames, with 22 of them suffering from serious injuries, prompting transfers to hospitals across the country, as well as to neighboring Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Croatia for more advanced care. Among the injured, more than 20 were minors, and tragically, three of those who lost their lives were also children.
Interior Minister Pance Toskovski provided updates on the disaster, highlighting the rapid spread of fire due to the club’s highly flammable ceiling materials. "The sparklers used for lighting effects at the concert caught the styrofoam on the ceiling, after which the fire rapidly spread across the whole discotheque, creating thick smoke," he explained. Witness accounts reported explosions as the fire engulfed the interior, causing the roof to collapse. One attendee described the chaos: “I heard an explosion and the roof collapsed. We all rushed to get out, we all ran toward one door,” she recounted of the frantic escape.
The authorities are not just focusing on the immediate calamity but are also investigating whether "corruption" and "bribery" contributed to the tragedy. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated emphatically, "This company does not have a legal license... those involved will be held responsible." This claim was backed by Toskovski, who indicated the club had falsified its licensing, opening the door to potential criminal repercussions for individuals involved.
More than 20 people are currently under investigation, and 15 of them are already in police custody. Included among those detained are the club owner and the event organizer, as well as individuals responsible for security measures during the concert. At the same time, both the local hospital's head, Kristina Serafimovska, and the Prime Minister emphasized the need for accountability. Serafimovska noted, "Most of the dead suffered injuries from the stampede during the panicked escape," leading to grim circumstances described by others who bore witness.
Following this national tragedy, the government declared a seven-day mourning period and mandated lowered flags throughout the country. North Macedonia’s President Gordana Siljanovska issued a poignant call for unity: "Let us unite our forces; we must not allow anyone else to sacrifice standards for profit. Nothing is more valuable than the lives of young people.” This sentiment resounded deeply with citizens, particularly as the nation reels from the loss of so many young lives.
Notably, Pope Francis sent prayers to the victims and their families, as reported by the Vatican. Condolences also poured in from international leaders, including EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, who expressed her sorrow over the tragic event, saying she was "deeply saddened by the tragic fire" and offered solidarity to the grief-stricken nation.
The town of Kocani, home to about 30,000 residents, now faces the difficult initial stages of grieving and recovery. Videos shared across social media prior to the fire show the nightclub outfitted with “stage fountains,” often seen at concerts. Footage of the blaze later revealed the stark horror as flames erupted from the building, highlighting the serious deficiencies in what is being termed as regulatory oversight.
With the aftermath of this disaster still central to public discourse, the calls for thorough investigations and accountability resonate widely. The Prime Minister stated, "I am convinced we will find hundreds of licenses issued illegally." This tragic event is seen as the tipping point for systemic changes within the club licensing processes to prevent future occurrences and save lives.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance among the community as investigations press forward, emphasizing the need to reform safety standards and regulatory oversight to avoid such catastrophes. The emotional wounds from this tragedy are not confined to Kocani but have rippled across the nation as families, friends, and communities mourn lost loved ones.
While many are still reeling from the shock of this devastating loss, the hope for change remains sparks of awareness and vigilance across North Macedonia and beyond.
