Protests Erupt in North Macedonia Following Nightclub Tragedy
Thousands gathered in Kocani, North Macedonia, demanding accountability and action against corruption after a nightclub fire claimed the lives of 59 individuals, many of whom were teenagers.
"No one should perish in such a manner," expressed a young protester. "Those kids had promising futures and talents."
The Pulse nightclub was filled with fans attending a performance by the popular hip-hop group DNK when flares reportedly ignited a section of the ceiling.
Authorities have detained around 20 people for questioning, including the club's owner and several former government officials.
Residents of Kocani suspect that corruption enabled the unsafe venue to operate. Families of missing children have been lining up at a hospital to provide DNA samples for identification purposes.
Kocani, a town of approximately 25,000 residents, is situated about 100 kilometers east of Skopje, the capital.
The fire injured over 160 people, with 45 sustaining critical injuries. Many have been transported to hospitals in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for specialized care.
During a protest, the uncle of a 19-year-old victim lamented, "Scenes like this should never happen again. Even during the war, it wasn't this horrific. So many young lives lost."
After a period of silence, the crowd began chanting for justice. Mourners lit candles, embraced, wept, and left condolence messages in the town's central square.
A group of teenagers vandalized a bar, mistakenly believing it belonged to the Pulse club owner.
The fire broke out around 2:30 AM local time on Sunday, spreading quickly due to the flammable ceiling material, according to Interior Minister Pance Toskovski. He indicated there are suspicions of bribery and corruption related to the incident.
At the time of the fire, the venue held 500 people, far exceeding the 250 tickets sold. Officials revealed the club's license was obtained illegally, and the venue, a repurposed carpet warehouse, had a locked emergency exit.
State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski noted the lack of adequate safety measures, including only two fire extinguishers and no fire alarm or sprinkler system.
A civic group in North Macedonia has urged citizens to assemble in city centers nationwide on Tuesday.