Concert Turns to Disaster: Fire Kills Dozens in North Macedonia

59 Dead, Over 150 Injured in Devastating North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

A massive fire ripped through Club Pulse, a nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, early Sunday, leaving 59 dead and 155 injured. Authorities suspect that pyrotechnics triggered the blaze, causing the roof to catch fire during a concert by a local pop group.

Tragedy Unfolds

The fire broke out at approximately 2:30 a.m., Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed. Video footage captured chaos inside the club as young concertgoers scrambled to escape through thick smoke while musicians pleaded with them to evacuate immediately.

Authorities have so far identified 39 of the deceased. Meanwhile, dozens of families anxiously awaited updates on their loved ones outside hospitals. Among them was Dragi Stojanov, who received the heartbreaking news that his only son, 21-year-old Tomce, had perished in the fire.

“He was my only child. I don’t need my life anymore,” Stojanov said in anguish. “One hundred and fifty families have been devastated.”

Emergency Response and International Support

Hospitals across the country, including in the capital, Skopje, are treating the injured, many of whom have sustained severe burns. Multiple volunteer organizations have joined the relief effort.

Health Minister Arben Taravari announced that 118 people remain hospitalized and that offers of assistance have poured in from neighboring Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia. “We are making every effort to save as many lives as possible,” Taravari stated, visibly shaken.

A Nation in Mourning

This tragedy is among the worst in recent memory for North Macedonia, a country of fewer than two million people. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited burn victims and their families at a hospital in Skopje. “It’s terrible… hard to believe how this happened,” she said, her voice breaking. “We must give these young people courage to continue.”

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his grief in an online post: “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones, and friends is immeasurable.”

Investigations and Legal Actions

Local media reports indicate that Club Pulse operated in a former carpet warehouse, a single-story building whose roof partially collapsed due to the fire. Police have cordoned off the site for forensic examination, and state prosecutors are leading the investigation.

State prosecutor Ljubco Kocevski confirmed that several individuals were being questioned, but the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities are also reviewing the nightclub’s licensing and safety measures. One person has already been arrested in connection with the fire, though officials have not disclosed further details.

Global Condolences

Leaders from across Europe have extended their condolences. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed deep sadness, stating that the 27-nation bloc “shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia.”

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also sent their sympathies. “I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

A Grim Reminder

Deadly nightclub fires caused by pyrotechnics have occurred before. In 2015, a similar tragedy struck the Colectiv club in Bucharest, Romania, killing 64 people. This latest disaster in North Macedonia serves as another painful reminder of the importance of strict fire safety regulations.

Authorities continue their investigation into the fire’s cause, as the nation struggles to come to terms with its devastating loss.