Skopje, March 16, 2025: A devastating fire at the Pulse club in Kocani, North Macedonia, has claimed at least 59 lives and left more than 155 injured, according to officials. The tragedy unfolded around 02:30 local time (01:30 GMT) when a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop duo, was underway with 1,500 attendees present.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the incident as a “difficult and very sad day”, mourning the loss of many young lives. Authorities have issued arrest warrants for four individuals, according to Interior Minister Pance Toskovski, who confirmed that one suspect, believed to be the club owner, has already been detained.
Initial reports suggest that the fire was sparked by pyrotechnic devices, which ignited the highly flammable ceiling, causing the blaze to spread rapidly. Footage from the event shows the band performing on stage as two flares ignite, followed by a chaotic rush for the exits.
Eyewitnesses described terrifying scenes. Marija Taseva, 20, recounted being trampled in the stampede before barely managing to escape. She later learned that her 25-year-old sister had perished in the fire. Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov revealed that most victims were young people between 18 and 20 years old, describing the situation as “brutal and chaotic.”
Authorities have struggled to identify victims, with Kocani’s hospital director citing a lack of ID cards as a major obstacle. Eighteen patients remain in critical condition, with the ages of the deceased ranging from 14 to 24.
In response to the tragedy, the North Macedonian government is expected to declare seven days of national mourning and initiate urgent safety inspections of nightclubs and event venues. European leaders have expressed their condolences, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirming the EU’s solidarity with the people of North Macedonia. Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called the incident “a tragedy of immense magnitude”, warning that the death toll may still rise as several victims remain in critical condition.
Prime Minister Mickoski assured that the government is fully mobilized to deal with the aftermath and determine the exact causes of the disaster.
