A fire at a nightclub in the city of Kocani, North Macedonia, has resulted in a tragic toll of 59 dead, mostly young people, and 155 injured, according to reports from Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski. The incident occurred early this morning at the nightclub 'Pulse' during a concert by the local band NDK (DNA) when a fire broke out, allegedly caused by pyrotechnics used inside the venue.
Among the fatalities is the band's drummer, and several people died from smoke inhalation, while others lost their lives due to burns. The youngest victim was 14 years old and most of the deceased were up to 25 years old. Even a Macedonian police officer was killed while inspecting the nightclub at the time of the fire.
The country is in shock over this tragedy, and the government has announced seven days of national mourning, as well as the conduct of thorough investigations in all nightlife venues across the country to prevent similar incidents in the future. Numerous leaders from Eastern and Southeastern Europe have expressed their condolences to North Macedonia following the incident, while social media and local media have circulated videos of the moment the fire started.
Authorities have issued detention orders against four individuals connected to the nightclub and the concert, and hospitals in Kocani are overwhelmed, requiring many injured to be transferred to clinics in Skopje. A witness to the event recounted that the fire spread rapidly, triggering panic and causing a stampede at the exit of the venue. Emergency services arrived quickly, but unfortunately could not prevent the magnitude of the tragedy.
