Tragic Nightclub Fire in North Macedonia Claims 59 Lives, Leaves Over 155 Injured

A devastating fire at a nightclub in the town of Kochani, North Macedonia, has resulted in the deaths of at least 59 people and left more than 155 injured, according to the country’s Interior Minister, Panche Toshkovski. The incident, which occurred late Saturday night, has sent shockwaves through the nation and drawn condolences from leaders across Europe.

The fire broke out at the popular ‘Pulse’ nightclub during a performance by the Macedonian musical duo DNK, as reported by local media. Videos from inside the venue show the band performing while pyrotechnic devices emitted sparks near the front of the stage. The sparks ignited the ceiling, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

North Macedonia’s state-run news agency, MIA, reported that over 80 of the injured were transported to hospitals and clinics in Skopje, the capital city. Justice Minister Igor Filkov vowed that all parties involved in the tragedy would be held accountable.

Authorities have already taken action, detaining the nightclub’s owner on Sunday morning as part of the ongoing investigation.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the incident as a “difficult and very sad day” for the nation. In a heartfelt post on X, he expressed his grief, stating, “The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, while the pain of our families, our close ones, and our friends is immeasurable.”

The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of support from international leaders. European Council President Antonio Costa and US Ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler were among those who expressed their condolences on social media. Aggeler wrote on X, “My heart breaks for the victims of this tragedy,” and offered assistance from the US embassy.

As the nation mourns, questions about safety regulations and accountability are likely to dominate public discourse in the coming days.