Outside the hospital, families anxiously awaited the latest news. However, Tomko Stojanov had already learned of his son's tragic fate: 25-year-old Andrej perished in the nightclub fire that claimed dozens of lives, with many trampled in a desperate attempt to escape. The devastating news spread quickly through the community.
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03-20, 2025Holding a photo of his son in a suit jacket, Stojanov said sorrowfully, "Thank you for your condolences, but my pain is incurable. This wound cannot be healed." He choked up, adding, "He sacrificed himself to go back and save people; he was pushed down, trampled, and that's how my son died." The father's grief was palpable as he recounted his son's final moments.
North Macedonia is grappling with the loss of dozens of young lives in the nightclub fire in the eastern town of Kočani and is seeking to hold those responsible accountable to prevent such a disaster from happening again. Authorities are investigating allegations of bribery related to the nightclub fire, which reportedly packed the venue with young revelers at twice its capacity. The investigation aims to uncover any negligence or wrongdoing that contributed to the tragedy.
Videos showed fireworks on stage igniting the club's ceiling, sparking the blaze as the band played. The tragedy has shocked the nation of 2 million people, deeply affecting many in this country with close-knit family ties. Victims included teenagers as young as 16, and the country has declared seven days of mourning. North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova addressed the nation on Sunday evening (early Monday AEST), saying, "We are all shocked, and I myself am shocked: as a mother, as a person, as a president." The president's words reflected the widespread grief and disbelief felt throughout the country.
The North Macedonian government has ordered a three-day comprehensive inspection of all nightclubs and cabarets across the country, starting Monday. State Prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski stated that initial inspections of the nightclub revealed multiple safety code violations, including a lack of emergency exits, an insufficient number of fire extinguishers, and inadequate access for emergency vehicles. The fire caused a partial collapse of the single-story building's roof, exposing charred remains of wooden beams and debris. The inspection aims to identify and rectify any safety lapses to prevent future incidents.
“The negligence is drastic. I can confidently say that it is a systemic failure,” the prosecutor told reporters. He also pointed to the lack of a high-altitude fire extinguishing system and fire alarm, as well as the use of flammable materials to decorate the interior walls. The nation is immersed in grief, witnessing the harrowing scenes unfolding in the small town of 25,000, where rescuers worked for hours on the grim task of removing the charred bodies of nightclub patrons. A state coroner stated that due to the large number of victims, bodies were being transported from the morgue in batches for identification. The scale of the tragedy has overwhelmed the small community.
National flags across the country have been lowered to half-mast, and Health Minister Ilir Demiri said the death toll could rise further, with 20 injured people currently in critical condition. Neighboring and nearby countries, including Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey, have received approximately 50 of the most seriously injured patients, while some countries are also sending medical teams to North Macedonia. "All patients transferred abroad are currently in stable condition. We hope that the situation remains unchanged and that we receive positive news from abroad," Demiri said. International support has been crucial in providing medical assistance and resources.
Officials said 10 people in Kočani, located about 115 kilometers east of the capital Skopje, have been detained by police for questioning. Interior Minister Panče Toškovski added that preliminary investigations showed the club was operating without proper permits. He said the number of people inside the club was at least double its official capacity of 250. Condolences have poured in from European leaders and the office of Pope Francis, who is hospitalized. Residents of Kočani held a candlelight vigil late Sunday in support of the grieving families, with long lines of people lighting church candles. The community is united in mourning and support.
Beti Delovska, an economist from Skopje, stated that North Macedonia has never experienced such a tragedy, with dozens of young people disappearing in an instant. She also noted that many young people with bright futures have left the country to seek opportunities elsewhere. Delovska said pessimistically, "North Macedonia is lying on its deathbed. We have no more reliable institutions, the healthcare system has completely collapsed, the quality of education is low, the judicial system is partisan, and corruption is rampant. I truly believe that only God can save North Macedonia now." The economist's words paint a bleak picture of the country's current state and future prospects.
