Authorities in North Macedonia have detained 15 individuals following a catastrophic nightclub fire that killed at least 59 people in the town of Kocani. The blaze erupted around 02:30 local time (01:30 GMT) on Sunday at the Pulse club, where approximately 500 attendees had gathered for a concert by the popular hip-hop duo DNK.
Only one member of the band survived and remains hospitalized, according to a spokesperson from the public prosecutor’s office. The disaster left 155 injured, with more than 20 of the victims under 18. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as panicked concertgoers struggled to escape through the venue’s only functional exit, as the back door was reportedly locked.
Interior Minister Pance Toskovski revealed that the nightclub had been operating without a legal license and suggested possible corruption in its approval process. Early inspections uncovered severe safety violations, including a lack of fire suppression systems and the use of highly flammable ceiling materials. Initial reports indicate that sparks from pyrotechnic devices ignited the fire, which spread rapidly.
Footage from the event shows the band performing as flares ignite, sending flames across the ceiling. Video verified by the BBC captured patrons attempting to put out the fire while others hesitated to flee. Survivor Marija Taseva, 20, recounted the chaos, describing how she was trampled in the rush to exit. She later learned that her 25-year-old sister had perished.
Medical teams are treating numerous victims with severe burns, while critically injured patients are being transferred to hospitals in neighboring countries. In response, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski declared seven days of national mourning. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova called for stricter safety enforcement, stating, “No business or activity can function without standards and rules.”
European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, have expressed condolences. With investigations underway, authorities are vowing to hold those responsible accountable to prevent future tragedies.
