In the early hours of Sunday, the 16th of March, a fire broke out in the northern Macedonian town of Kocani, killing 59 people and injuring more than 150. Officials said the fire broke out after sparks from pyrotechnics set fire to the roof during a band concert, reports Reuters.
A video from the event showed the moment the fire started: as hip-hop duo DNK played on stage, two spark fountains shot sparks into the air, setting part of the ceiling ablaze. Seconds later, panic ensued.
🚨 North Macedonia Nightclub Fire
A tragic fire at Pulse nightclub in Kočani on Mar 16, 2:35 AM, during a performance by hip-hop duo DNK
– Pyrotechnics ignited ceiling, triggering chaos– 59+ dead, 155+ injured– 15 people detained for negligence– Govt declares 7-day mourning pic.twitter.com/su068XxsaK
— GlobeUpdate (@Globupdate) March 17, 2025
Hundreds of people rushed to the only exit of the small venue, with flames spreading through the ceiling and many trapped.
Authorities arrested around 20 people in connection with the fire, including government officials and the manager of the Pulse nightclub, which did not have a valid licence, and members of the band, Interior Minister Panče Toškovski told a press conference.
He said more than 20 of those injured and three of those killed were under the age of 18.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said that the Ministry of Economy had issued the licence illegally and promised that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“Regardless of who they are, what institution, what level, what party and what profession,” Mickoski said. He declared seven days of national mourning.
The fire broke out at around 3:00 am local time. Authorities said there were about 500 people in the club at the time.
More than 150 people were hospitalised in Skopje, Kocani and surrounding towns, Health Minister Arben Taravari said, adding that 20 people were seriously injured.
People searched for missing relatives on the internet and in hospitals across the country. Some patients were being transferred to neighbouring Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece for treatment, national authorities said.
World leaders, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Pope Francis, expressed their condolences.
After visiting the victims in hospital in Skopje, North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, dressed in black and holding back tears, said that the authorities would do their utmost to help the victims. “I just can’t comprehend it… what a disaster, what a tragedy.”
Anger and sadness swept the country.