Tragedy Strikes North Macedonia as Thousands Mourn Nightclub Fire Victims

In the wake of a catastrophic fire that claimed 59 lives, North Macedonia is united in grief and outrage.

Thousands across North Macedonia are flocking to cemeteries to pay their respects to the victims of a tragic nightclub fire that occurred in Kocani. The blaze erupted at the Pulse nightclub, tragically claiming the lives of 59 individuals and injuring many others. Initially reported, the club operated without proper licensing and lacked crucial fire safety measures such as sprinklers. Notably, the venue, originally a carpet warehouse, had a single emergency exit that was reportedly locked during the incident.

Fueled by sadness and frustration, the funerals held Thursday reflected deep mourning and shock within the tight-knit community. Mourners, many with photographs of their lost loved ones, marked the heartbreaking loss of so many young lives in the relatively small town of Kocani, which has a population of fewer than 30,000 residents. At Kocani's cemetery, victims were laid to rest together, following an Orthodox Church service, adding to the collective sorrow.

In the capital city Skopje, emotions ran high as around 1,000 people gathered to honor Andrej Gorgieski, a beloved 43-year-old singer in the band DNK, who perished while performing at the club when the fire ignited. The mourning is compounded by mounting anger surrounding the negligence that allowed the Pulse nightclub to operate under hazardous conditions, stirring public protests against corruption and unsafe practices.

As unrest escalated, some Kocani residents vandalized properties connected to the nightclub's owner and targeted the mayor's office. Following the disaster, the government moved swiftly to conduct inspections of local nightlife establishments, seeking to enforce safety regulations in light of this tragedy. Investigations have identified all 59 victims, with the overwhelming majority being young individuals.

The catastrophic fire erupted in the early hours of Sunday while approximately 500 people were present, exceeding the club's capacity of 250 ticketed attendees. The Interior Minister, Pance Toskovski, indicated that there are ongoing inquiries into potential bribery and negligence linked to the club's operations. Over 160 people sustained injuries, with a significant number requiring evacuation to hospitals in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for urgent medical attention.