Nightclub Fire in North Macedonia Leaves 59 dead, Over 100 Injured

In Kocani, Macedonia at 2.35am the'Pulse' nightclub erupted in flames killing 59 people, a death toll which may rise & many more injured! Victims aged 14-24yrs & minors illegal to attend nightclubs after midnight! Fire caused by pyrotechnic devices on stage with hip-hop duo DNK!

A devastating fire tore through a nightclub in the eastern town of Kocani, North Macedonia, early Sunday, resulting in the deaths of 59 people and injuries to more than 100 others, according to authorities.

The blaze erupted at approximately 2:35 a.m. during a concert at the Pulse nightclub. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski stated that the fire was caused by pyrotechnics igniting the roof. Video footage captured the chaos inside the venue, showing young attendees fleeing through thick smoke while musicians urged them to escape.

Many of the injured sustained severe burns and were transported to hospitals across the country, including in the capital, Skopje. The response effort has been bolstered by multiple volunteer organizations. Health Minister Arben Taravari reported that 118 individuals were hospitalized and noted that offers of medical assistance had been received from neighboring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, and Greece. He emphasized that all available resources were being deployed to save as many lives as possible.

The Pulse night club

This incident marks one of the deadliest tragedies in North Macedonia’s recent history. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed deep sorrow, calling it a difficult day for the nation. He assured the families of the victims that the government would provide support in their time of grief.

Distraught family members gathered outside hospitals and city offices in Kocani, pleading for information about their loved ones. The nightclub, housed in a repurposed carpet warehouse, had been in operation for several years. The fire caused part of the single-story building’s roof to collapse, exposing charred wooden beams and debris. Police secured the site and launched an investigation, with evidence-gathering teams working alongside state prosecutors.

A view outside a nightclub, following a fire resulting in casualties, in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, March 16, 2025

Authorities are reviewing the venue’s licensing and safety protocols. Toshkovski stated that the government has a moral obligation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. One individual has been arrested in connection with the incident, though further details were not disclosed.

Expressions of sympathy have poured in from across Europe. Leaders from neighboring countries and European officials extended condolences, with messages from the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also conveyed his condolences, stating that Ukraine mourns alongside the people of North Macedonia.