59 Dead, Over 155 Injured After Fire In Nightclub In North Macedonia

North Macedonia Interior Minister Pance Toskovski said that initial reports suggest that the fire started from sparks caused by pyrotechnic devices.

The fire occurred at around 2:30 am at a club in Kocani in North Macedonia.

Source : x

59 people have been killed and 155 others injured after a fire in a nightclub in North Macedonia early on Sunday.

The fire occurred at around 2:30 am (local time) at the Pulse club in Kocani, which is around 100 km from capital Skopje. The injured have been rushed to the local hospital in Kočani and to neighbouring Stip.

The incident unfolded after around 1,500 people were attending a concert by a popular hip-hop duo called DNK, which was mainly attended by young people. 

North Macedonia Interior Minister Pance Toskovski said that initial reports suggest that the fire started from sparks caused by pyrotechnic devices.

Fire in a nightclub Pulse in Kočani, North Macedonia
Local news are reporting more than 1500 people were at the club when the fire started, atleast 50 casualities and many injured. #fire #pozar pic.twitter.com/MO2mR9uCYu

— Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI) March 16, 2025

“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” Toskovski said, according to news agency AFP.

A young woman, who was at the concert told local media, said, "Initially we didn't believe there was a fire. Then there was huge panic in the crowd and a stampede to get out."

The interior ministry announced that arrest warrants have been issued for four people in relation to the tragedy and a criminal investigation has been started in the case. They did not immediately give further details about those targeted by the warrants.

North Macedonia Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, reacted to the deadly incident, saying it is "a difficult and very sad day" for the country.

"The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the grief of their families, their loved ones and their friends is immeasurable," he said.