A fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia has resulted in the deaths of at least 59 people. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), police have detained 10 individuals. The incident has sparked widespread concern and prompted authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation.
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03-17, 2025The fire occurred at approximately 2:30 AM local time on Sunday at the Pulse nightclub in Kochani. At the time, around 500 people were gathered to watch a concert by DNK, a well-known domestic hip-hop duo. A spokesperson for the prosecutor's office told the BBC that only one member of the band survived and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. The accident resulted in a total of 155 injuries.
Biljana Arsovska stated that short-term detention orders have been issued for 10 people suspected of being responsible for the fire, including "officials from the department that issued the license." Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said on Sunday afternoon that the venue did not have a legal operating license. Police are investigating whether the fire is related to bribery and corruption.
According to local media reports, the venue, located in a town about 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of the capital Skopje, was described as a "makeshift nightclub" that had previously been a carpet warehouse. Ms. Arsovska said that the building had only "one valid exit" because the back door of the venue was locked and unusable. Initial on-site inspections conducted on Sunday also revealed multiple "anomalies" at the venue, including "defective fire extinguishing and lighting systems."
Toshkovski cited preliminary reports stating that the fire was caused by sparks from pyrotechnic devices hitting the ceiling, which was made of highly flammable materials. Footage shows the band performing on stage when suddenly two flames erupted, and sparks ignited the ceiling, which then spread rapidly. Videos verified by the BBC show people trying to extinguish the flames on the ceiling. The footage shows that the club was still crowded, with some people seemingly watching the firefighting efforts instead of leaving.
Reports indicate that the makeshift nightclub had only one entrance and exit, which led to panic. Maria Taseva, 20, told Channel 5 television that she was trapped in the crowd at the club as people rushed toward the exit. She recalled falling to the ground and being trampled in the chaos before managing to escape. "I don't know how, but I managed to escape," she told Reuters. "I'm fine now, but many people died." She added that her 25-year-old sister—who her family had been searching for—had died, saying: "I was saved, she wasn't."
Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov said that most of those affected were young people between the ages of 18 and 20. Officials said that more than 20 of the injured and 3 of the dead were under the age of 18. "The situation is brutal, chaotic, and the stories are very sad, unfortunately, many young lives have been lost," Mr. Saidov added. Dr. Vladislav Gruev, a specialist in reconstructive and plastic surgery at the Capital University Clinic for Surgical Diseases, told the BBC that most of the patients being treated at his hospital had extensive burns. "[They have] second and third-degree burns on the head, neck, and upper torso," he said.
The director of the Kochani hospital said earlier that staff initially had difficulty identifying patients due to a lack of identification documents. 18 patients were assessed as being in critical condition. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called it a "difficult and very sad day" for the country, with the loss of many "young lives." The government has declared seven days of national mourning and is holding emergency meetings as part of an ongoing investigation into how the incident occurred.
North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said she was shocked "as a mother, as a person, and as president." She said directly to the families of the deceased: "Your great pain is also my pain." She wrote in a statement: "No business or event can operate without standards and rules. Let us no longer allow anyone to endanger the lives of innocent people." Siljanovska-Davkova added that those with the most serious injuries were being transferred to specialized clinics in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for treatment.
European leaders have expressed their condolences, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying that the EU "stands in solidarity with the people of North Macedonia in these difficult times." Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called it "a great tragedy," adding that concerns remain because "many people will not be able to withstand the injuries they have sustained."
