In a tragic incident in Kocani, North Macedonia, a devastating fire swept through a nightclub early Sunday morning, resulting in the deaths of 59 individuals and injuring 155 others, according to officials. The fire erupted around 2:30 a.m. during a local pop group's performance at Club Pulse, as reported by Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski. So far, 39 victims have been identified.
Preliminary investigations suggest that pyrotechnics might have ignited the roof. Videos from the scene show panic as attendees rushed to escape, with musicians urging them to flee quickly. Dragi Stojanov, a local resident, received the heartbreaking news that his 21-year-old son, Tomce, was among those who perished. "He was my only child. I have no reason to live anymore," he lamented. "This has shattered 150 families."
The injured were transported to hospitals across the country, including in the capital, Skopje, with many suffering severe burns. Volunteer organizations have joined the rescue efforts. Health Minister Arben Taravari stated that 118 people are hospitalized and mentioned offers of help from neighboring countries like Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia. "We are doing everything possible to save as many young lives as we can," Taravari said, visibly emotional.
This disaster is the most severe in recent memory for the nation, which has a population under 2 million. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited victims in Skopje hospitals and comforted waiting parents. "It's unimaginable... hard to comprehend how this occurred," she expressed with a trembling voice. "We must support these young people to move forward."
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski shared his sorrow online, stating, "This is a profoundly sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is beyond repair, and the families' pain is immeasurable." Families gathered at hospitals and city offices in Kocani, about 115 kilometers east of Skopje, seeking more information.
The nightclub, housed in a former carpet warehouse, had been operational for several years, according to local media. The fire led to a partial collapse of the building's roof, revealing charred beams and debris. Police secured the area and began collecting evidence, with state prosecutors involved in the investigation. State prosecutor Ljubco Kocevski mentioned that several individuals were being questioned, though details remain scarce as the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Authorities are examining the venue's licensing and safety measures, with the interior ministry emphasizing the government's "moral responsibility" to hold those accountable. One arrest has been made, but further details on the individual's role were not disclosed.
As news of the tragedy spread, condolences poured in from neighboring countries and European leaders. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed her deep sadness, stating that the EU "shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia." North Macedonia is currently a candidate for EU membership.
Regional leaders, including Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also extended their sympathies. "I wish the injured a swift recovery. Ukraine mourns with our Macedonian friends on this sorrowful day," Zelenskyy posted online.
Pyrotechnics have been a frequent cause of deadly nightclub fires, reminiscent of the 2015 Colectiv club fire in Bucharest, Romania, which claimed 64 lives.