Trial Commences Over North Macedonia Nightclub Fire That Claimed 63 Lives

Wed Nov 19 2025 23:29:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The trial involving 35 individuals and three institutions begins in North Macedonia, addressing the tragic nightclub fire in Kocani that resulted in 63 fatalities. The case highlights alleged negligence and systemic failures leading to the disaster.

The trial concerning a catastrophic fire at Club Pulse in Kocani, North Macedonia, which killed 63 individuals in March 2025, has begun. Among the defendants are the nightclub's owner and former local officials, all accused of endangering public safety. The prosecution asserts that the fire, sparked by pyrotechnics, arose from multiple organizational failures, including inadequate safety regulations and blocked exits. Legal proceedings promise to be lengthy, and victims' families remain vocal in their pursuit of justice.

Thirty-five people and three institutions have gone on trial in North Macedonia over a devastating fire at a nightclub that killed 63, mainly young, people in March.

Judge Diana Gruevska-Ilievska addressed the crowded courtroom filled with defendants and victims' relatives, stating, I know about the pain of loved ones, we are all parents. She promised the trial would be handled transparently and with discipline.

The incident took place at Club Pulse in Kocani during a concert attended by a significant number of young people when sparks from pyrotechnics ignited the ceiling. Prosecutors claim that years of negligence turned the venue into a death trap.

Charges include former mayors, the nightclub's owner, and public licensing officials, who are accused of jeopardizing public safety by allowing the unsafe operation of the club. Judge Gruevska-Ilievska warned that this trial could last anywhere from five months to five years. Defense lawyers attempted to postpone the trial, arguing against the merging of charges, but the judge dismissed their request.

According to authorities at the time of the fire, only one exit was functioning, while the back door was locked. Sparks rapidly spread along the club's flammable ceiling, and with approximately 500 patrons inside, 59 died on-site and four others succumbed to their injuries later, with many unable to escape due to blocked exits.

The incident incited protests in Skopje and Kocani, with victims' families demanding justice. Last Saturday, a demonstration titled 'March of the Angels', organized through a social media campaign named 'Who's Next?', took place in Skopje. The prosecution argues that the Kocani disaster stemmed from systemic failures rather than individual negligence, emphasizing unlawful license issuance and lack of safety inspections. Local media quoted prosecutor Borche Janev calling for societal reflection on the disaster, stating, If we remain silent and lose the truth... we will never have the strength as a society to embark on a path to healing.