North Macedonia nightclub fire: At least 59 dead as authorities probe safety violations

Blaze at Club Pulse leaves dozens dead and over 150 injured

A fire at Club Pulse in Kocani, North Macedonia, has killed at least 59 people and injured more than 150, according to multiple industry news reports. The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning during a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop duo.

Authorities have arrested 15 people in connection with the incident, with Interior Minister Pance Toskovski stating that there are “grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption linked to the fire.” He also confirmed that the nightclub was operating without a legal licence.

Officials said the venue, previously a carpet warehouse, had inadequate fire safety measures. Inspections revealed that the club had only one efficient exit, with the back door locked and unusable.

Witnesses describe panic as fire spread rapidly

Video footage of the incident shows the band performing when two flares ignited the ceiling, which was made of flammable material. The flames spread quickly, causing panic among the 500 attendees.

Eyewitnesses reported that the limited exit space led to a crush as people tried to escape. Some remained inside in an attempt to extinguish the fire before it escalated.

Marija Taseva, 20, who was at the concert, described the chaos to Reuters: “When the fire broke out, everyone started screaming and shouting: ‘Get out, get out.’ I fell to the ground and people trampled over me. I don’t know how, but somehow I managed to get out.”

Her 25-year-old sister did not survive. “I was saved and she wasn’t,” Taseva said.

Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov, who was assisting at the scene, described it as “brutal and chaotic.” He said that most of those affected were young people, aged between 18 and 20.

Fire caused by pyrotechnics and flammable materials

Authorities have stated that initial investigations point to stage pyrotechnics as the cause of the fire. Toskovski said sparks from the devices ignited the ceiling, which was made of highly flammable material.

Medical officials reported that many victims suffered severe burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Dr Vladislav Gruev, a specialist in reconstructive and plastic surgery at the University Clinic for Surgical Diseases, told BBC that most of the injured had “second- and third-degree burns on their head, neck, upper torso, and hands.”

The fire’s intensity caused structural damage to the building, with parts of the roof collapsing. Images from the scene show the interior severely burned, with blackened beams and debris scattered throughout.

Emergency response and medical evacuations

Hospitals across North Macedonia struggled to cope with the influx of patients. Kocani’s hospital director said that staff initially had difficulty identifying patients due to a lack of identification documents. Eighteen patients were reported to be in critical condition.

Several European countries have provided medical assistance. The Guardian reported that Bulgaria transported 14 critically injured victims for treatment, with eight receiving intensive care in Sofia. Three teenage patients were among those in a critical condition.

Turkey’s health ministry also dispatched two medical evacuation planes, transferring nine patients to Istanbul and Ankara for specialist care. The Turkish ambassador to North Macedonia, Fatih Ulusoy, said: “This is a great tragedy for North Macedonia, and we share their pain.”

Investigation into corruption and safety violations

Authorities have launched an investigation into the nightclub’s operations, with Toskovski highlighting possible links between the venue’s lack of a legal licence and corruption.

“The licence, as with many things in Macedonia in the past, is connected with bribery and corruption,” Toskovski told reporters, adding that over 20 people were under investigation, including some individuals currently in hospital.

Inspections revealed several safety violations, including inadequate fire suppression systems and emergency lighting. Reports indicate that the venue lacked sufficient fire extinguishers, and the presence of only one functioning exit exacerbated the tragedy.

One concertgoer told The Independent that the lack of exits created a dangerous situation: “The fire started around 2:30 am. The sparklers ignited the Styrofoam on the ceiling. I heard an explosion and the roof collapsed. We all ran to the only door available.”

The government has announced that it will increase inspections of nightclubs and entertainment venues to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

National mourning and government response

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the event as a “difficult and very sad day” for North Macedonia, stating that the loss of so many young lives was “irreparable.”

The government has declared seven days of national mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast, and public events have been cancelled in memory of the victims.

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova expressed her condolences in a public statement: “No business or activity can function without standards and rules. Let us not allow anyone to endanger the lives of innocent people again.”

She confirmed that the most seriously injured victims had been transferred to hospitals in neighbouring countries, including Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey, for specialist care.

European leaders have expressed their condolences. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU “stands in solidarity with the people of North Macedonia in this difficult time.”

Neighbouring Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić described it as “a tragedy of immense magnitude” and warned that the death toll could rise due to the severity of injuries sustained.

Calls for justice from families of victims

Relatives of the deceased have demanded accountability for the tragedy. Dragi Stojanov, who lost his only child, 21-year-old Tomche, told reporters: “Let me tell you in front of everybody. Film me. I am a dead man, I lost everything. The whole of Europe should know.”

He added: “After this tragedy, what do I need this life for? I don’t need it. I had one child and I lost him.”

The families of the victims have urged authorities to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted. President Siljanovska-Davkova stated: “None of the responsible this time should avoid the law, the justice, and punishment too. Nothing is worthier than human life, specifically young life.”

Next steps in the investigation

Authorities continue to gather evidence on the fire’s causes and the nightclub’s operations. Investigators are expected to release a full report in the coming weeks.

Toskovski has assured the public that the government will enforce stricter safety regulations and take action against businesses that fail to comply with fire safety laws.

“The most important thing is to find out all the facts and evidence necessary for the follow-up measures,” he said. “We must remain calm while taking all these steps so that something like this doesn’t happen again.”

North Macedonia nightclub fire: Summary

At least 59 people have died, and over 150 have been injured following a fire at Club Pulse in Kocani, North Macedonia. The fire broke out during a concert and was reportedly caused by pyrotechnic effects igniting a flammable ceiling. The nightclub, which was operating without a legal licence, had only one functional exit, contributing to panic as attendees tried to escape.

Authorities have detained 15 people and are investigating possible corruption linked to the venue’s operations. Reports from multiple sources confirm that safety violations included a lack of fire extinguishers and emergency lighting.

The North Macedonian government has declared seven days of national mourning and has pledged to improve fire safety regulations. Several European countries, including Bulgaria and Turkey, have provided medical support, transporting critically injured patients for specialist care. Investigations into the fire’s causes and those responsible for safety failures are ongoing.