North Macedonia authorities have arrested 15 people after a deadly nightclub fire killed at least 59.
The fire occurred around 02:30 local time (01:30 GMT) on Sunday evening at the Pulse Club in the town of Kocani, where about 500 had turned out for a performance by DNK, a popular hip-hop group.
Only one member of the band survived and is currently receiving medical treatment, a spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office confirmed. A total of 155 people sustained injuries in the incident.
Investigation and Arrests
Interior Minister Pance Toskovski stated that the detained individuals will be questioned amid suspicions of bribery and corruption linked to the fire.
Officials have confirmed that the venue lacked a valid operating license. Local media have described it as an “improvised nightclub,” previously used as a carpet warehouse.
Safety Violations and Fire Origin
Biljana Arsovska, spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office, revealed that the venue had only “one functional exit,” with a back door that was locked and unusable. Preliminary inspections revealed several safety breaches, such as shortcomings in the fire extinguishing system and the emergency lighting.
Minister Toskovski added that preliminary information indicates that sparks from pyrotechnic materials ignited the blaze by burning the highly combustible roof material.
Eyewitness Accounts and Chaos
Video from the scene shows the band playing when two flares went off, quickly spreading flames across the roof. Video confirmed by the BBC shows people trying to put out the fires while others seem hesitant to leave.
Reports indicate that panic ensued due to the venue’s single entry and exit point. Marija Taseva, 20, described the chaos to Channel 5 TV, recounting how she was caught in a crush as people scrambled for the exits.
“I don’t know how, but somehow I managed to get out,” she told Reuters. “I’m fine now, but there are many dead.” She later confirmed that her 25-year-old sister, who had initially been reported missing, did not survive.
According to Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov, many victims were between 18 and 20 years old. Officials report that over 20 of the injured and three of the deceased were minors.
Medical Response and National Mourning
Dr. Vladislav Gruev, a specialist at the University Clinic for Surgical Diseases in Skopje, reported that most patients arrived with severe burns affecting their head, neck, and upper torso. The hospital initially struggled to identify victims due to a lack of identification documents. Eighteen patients remain in critical condition.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the tragedy as “a difficult and very sad day” for the nation, mourning the loss of so many young lives. The government has announced national mourning for seven days and convened an emergency session to probe the tragedy.
International Condolences and Assistance
North Macedonia’s President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova expressed her grief by stating, “Your great pain is mine as well.” She stressed how important it was to follow safety rules so that tragedies like this don’t happen again.
The most severely injured are being transported to specialized clinics in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for treatment.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her condolences, affirming the EU’s unity with the people of North Macedonia. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called the fire a “tragedy of immense magnitude” and warned that many of the injured remain in serious condition.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials seek accountability for the deadly fire.
