Tragedy Strikes North Macedonia: Nightclub Fire Claims 51 Lives and Leaves 100 Injured

A devastating fire at a nightclub in Kočani, a town in eastern North Macedonia, has resulted in the loss of 51 lives and injured approximately 100 others, as confirmed by the country’s Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski during a press conference.

The blaze erupted around 2:35 a.m. on Sunday, coinciding with a performance by a local pop group. According to Minister Toshkovski, the fire was ignited by pyrotechnics used during the concert, which led to the roof catching fire. Eyewitness videos captured the chaos inside the venue, showing young concert-goers fleeing through thick smoke as the musicians urged them to escape urgently.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his sorrow on social media platform X, stating, “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones, and friends is immeasurable. The people and the government will do everything in their power to alleviate their pain and support them in these most difficult moments.”

In the aftermath of the tragedy, relatives of victims gathered outside hospitals and city offices in Kočani, anxiously seeking information from authorities. Minister Toshkovski revealed that police have made one arrest but did not disclose details regarding the individual’s involvement in the incident.

According to the state news agency MIA, approximately 1,500 people were in attendance at the Pulse nightclub for a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop duo in the region. Kočani, a small town with a population of around 30,000, is situated about 60 miles (100 km) east of the capital, Skopje.

The injured were transported to local hospitals in Kočani and Štip, located about 20 miles to the south, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.