Tragic Nightclub Fire in North Macedonia

A fire that tore through a nightclub in North Macedonia killed 51 and left more than 100 injured, the country’s interior minister confirmed.

The blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday at the Pulse club in Kocani, a town 100 kilometres east of the capital Skopje.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, including firefighters from surrounding towns, where more than 1,000 concertgoers had gathered at the venue for a performance by hip-hop duo ADN.

The concert began at around midnight and the fire is reported to have started at approximately 3am local time, according to online media outlet SDK.

Social media footage shows huge flames engulfing the nightclub, with large plumes of smoke billowing into the air.

Clips from inside the venue show the use of two pyrotechnics during the performance, known as stage jets – a type of indoor fireworks used during concerts.

Very shortly after their deployment flames are clearly visible on the ceiling, which quickly spread.

Speaking outside the local police station, minister of the interior Pance Toskovski said the fire was probably caused by sparks from the pyrotechnics hitting the ceiling, which was made of a highly flammable material.

Huge flames engulf the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, in the early hours of Sunday morning

A shot of the burning nightclub, which shows the roof fully ablaze and an inferno raging inside the venue

Video from inside the venue shows the use of pyrotechnics, with flames licking the ceiling (top left of shot) shortly after their deployment

Casualties and Injuries

He added: ‘At the moment of activating the so-called sprinklers, the sparks caught the ceiling that was made of easily flammable material after which for a very short period of time the fire spread across the whole discotheque, creating a thick smoke.’

According to witnesses, several people were crushed to death during a ‘stampede’, Skopje-based radio station Lider reported.

‘According to the data we have by now, 51 persons lost their lives and more than 100 persons are injured,’ Mr Toskovski said.

The wounded were transported to the local hospital in the town and to facilities in the town of Stip, 30 kilometres to the south, while helicopters ferried some of the injured to hospitals in the capital Skopje.

The director of the Kocani hospital, Kristina Serafimova, said 30 people were being treated for injuries at the hospital while another 60 were being transferred to another health facility, news site Klix Vijesti reported.

Response and Investigation

Video posted by Lider shows the burnt-out remains of the nightclub on Sunday after sunrise, with a gaping hole in the roof clearly visible.

Other videos published by media in the Balkan country show the entrance to the building blackened by flames.

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, called it a ‘difficult and very sad day’ and asked for unity and support for the families of the victims and the injured while the government determines the cause of the fire.

A map showing the location of Kocani, the site of the nightclub fire, which is around 100 kilometres east of the North Macedonian capital Skopje

As the performance unfolds, a small patch of flames become visible on the venue’s ceiling

International Response

The UK ambassador to North Macedonia Matthew Lawson said on X: ‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Kochani that claimed the lives of 51 people, many of whom were young.

‘Our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this immense loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.’

Meanwhile the US ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler posted on X: ‘My heart breaks this morning for the many victims in last night’s fire at a nightclub in Kochani.

The US ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler posted on X: ‘My heart breaks this morning for the many victims in last night’s fire at a nightclub in Kochani’

Conclusion

In a post on Facebook, he said: ‘With deep sorrow I received the news of the terrible tragedy in Kochani.

‘This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.

‘In these moments of deep sorrow, our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery, and to the families of the deceased – strength to bear this unimaginable loss.

‘The people and the government will do everything in their power to alleviate their pain a