In a tragic incident early this morning, 59 people lost their lives in a nightclub fire in Kocani, North Macedonia, sparked by pyrotechnics during a concert. More than 155 individuals sustained injuries, with 20 currently in critical condition due to burns, smoke inhalation, and a resultant stampede as attendees attempted to escape the Club Pulse concert. The local hip-hop duo DNK was performing when the pyrotechnics ignited the ceiling, constructed from highly flammable materials, causing flames to spread rapidly. Reports indicate that one band member survived and is receiving medical attention.
Survivor Marija Taseva, 19, recounted her escape ordeal, stating, “We even tried to get out through the bathroom, only to find bars on the windows. I somehow managed to get out. I fell down the stairs and they ran over me, trampled me. I barely stayed alive and could hardly breathe.” Tragically, her 25-year-old sister died in the fire.
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski reported that a preliminary investigation showed Club Pulse was operating without a proper license, with attendance exceeding its 250-person capacity. Toshkovski confirmed that authorities have detained 15 individuals for questioning, expressing concerns over potential bribery and corruption related to the venue’s operations.
In response to this catastrophe, the North Macedonian government has mandated a nationwide inspection of nightclubs and cabarets over the next three days to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Additionally, a seven-day period of national mourning has been declared.
Video footage from the incident illustrates the moment sparks from the pyrotechnics ignited the ceiling, with attempts to extinguish the flames proving futile as they spread rapidly. Pyrotechnic-related fires have a long history, including notable incidents in the U.S. and abroad. In 2016, a fire at the Ghost Ship venue in Oakland claimed 36 lives and resulted in legal ramifications for its operators. Other significant tragedies include the Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island in 2003, which took 100 lives, and the infamous Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston, which caused 492 fatalities in 1942 and led to stricter fire safety regulations.
