An Australian lawyer lost her cousin in a deadly fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia. Her grief turned to anger at the local government after learning the venue was operating without a license. This incident highlights the potential dangers of unregulated establishments.
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03-17, 2025Petra Zlatevska told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that her cousin, Sara Projkovska, was performing on stage at the Pulse club in Kocani, a town in eastern North Macedonia. The fire engulfed the building, killing at least 59 people and injuring more than 150. The scale of the tragedy has shocked the nation.
Fireworks on stage are believed to have caused the blaze, which forced hundreds of young people to scramble for the venue's only exit, triggering a stampede. Ms. Zlatevska said Projkovska, who was the lead singer of the hip-hop band DNK, died doing what she loved. "Sara was an infectious person, even as a child she showed musical talent and was a natural performer," Ms. Zlatevska told the ABC. Her passion for music was evident to all who knew her.
Projkovska, 48, was reportedly a mother of two teenagers. Ms. Zlatevska said Projkovska was a well-respected musician and music professor who had performed on stages around the world, including at Eurovision. "Sara had a profound impact on the European music scene, she was sought after by all the major recording artists in the Balkans, and in Macedonia in general," Ms. Zlatevska said. "She crossed different genres, she had a jazz quartet, she worked with a hip-hop group, she loved collaborating and supporting others to be their best." Her versatility made her a unique and valued artist.
Angry protests have erupted in the city of Kocani, with thousands of people calling for officials to resign over the deaths. So far, 20 people have been arrested in connection with the fire, including the nightclub's manager, after the venue, which had been converted from a carpet warehouse, was found to be operating without legal permits. According to government authorities, the venue had only one emergency exit, which was locked during the concert, no fire alarm or sprinkler system, and only two fire extinguishers. The lack of safety measures contributed to the devastating outcome.
Teenagers as young as 16 suffered severe burns and have been transported to hospitals in neighboring countries, including Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and Romania. Ms. Zlatevska said her family in Australia and North Macedonia are angry because it was a "systemic incompetence." "The fact that the venue was able to operate without legal permits, it all feels very, very wrong," she said. "The wave of grief has turned into anger and deep-seated frustration at the local government." The incident has exposed deep-seated issues within the local administration.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said there was reason to suspect bribery and corruption, as the venue was an industrial building that was issued a license for the hospitality industry. "This is the culmination of a bad, neglected system," Mr. Mickoski said. "There is no one in Macedonia who has not felt heartbroken, mentally broken after this event." The government of North Macedonia has declared a seven-day national mourning period to honor the victims of the tragedy. The nation is grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event.
