Nightclub horror: North Macedonia in mourning as deadly fire claims 59 lives
Credit: Shutterstock, New Africa
North Macedonia is reeling from one of the deadliest nightclub disasters in its history after a fire ripped through Club Pulse in the early hours of Sunday, March 16, killing at least 59 people and injuring 155 more. The nation has declared a seven-day mourning period as harrowing scenes unfold in the eastern town of Kocani.
The blaze, which started during a packed night of fun, left devastation in its wake. Survivors spoke of panic and chaos as clubgoers scrambled for the single exit, with some crushed in the desperate rush to escape. Many of the injured suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, while others were trampled in the melee.
‘No one responsible should escape the law’
As the scale of the tragedy became clear, North Macedonia’s leaders vowed to hold those responsible to account. President Gordana Davkova Siljanovska addressed the nation on Sunday night, visibly shaken.
“We are all in shock, and I am shocked myself: as a mother, as a person, as a president,” she said. “I still cannot believe that the terrible tragedy in Kocani is a reality. No one responsible should escape the law, justice and punishment. Let us not allow anyone to endanger the lives of innocent people anymore.”
Packed to the rafters – with no licence
Authorities are now investigating allegations of bribery linked to the club, which was reportedly crammed with revellers well beyond its legal capacity. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski revealed that the venue had been operating without a proper licence and that at least 15 people had been detained for questioning.
“We have grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption in this case,” Toshkovski said, though he stopped short of naming suspects.
Pyrotechnics sparked fire inferno inside night club
Disturbing video footage shows the fire may have been sparked by pyrotechnics on stage. Witnesses described the moment flames shot up towards the ceiling before spreading rapidly.
Survivor Marija Taseva, 19, recounted her terrifying escape while speaking to the Associated Press: “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.” She sustained facial injuries in the chaos.
National grief and candlelight vigils
In Kocani, a town of just 25,000 people, the grief is palpable. Flags have been lowered to half-mast and candlelit vigils have drawn mourners from across the country. In hospitals in Kocani and the capital Skopje, anxious families are waiting for updates on the critically injured, some of whom have been transferred to Greece for emergency treatment.
The death toll may yet rise, with Health Minister Arben Taravari warning that 20 of the injured remain in critical condition.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski struggled to contain his emotion in a televised address: “I have had many difficult moments and challenges in my life, but today is by far the most difficult day of my life. My heart is breaking, and I have no strength to speak today. I am broken and my spirit is broken.”
Crackdown on clubs begins
As the country grapples with its grief, the government has launched an immediate three-day nationwide inspection of all nightclubs to root out safety violations and prevent another disaster.
But for the families of those lost, the heartbreak is immeasurable. The investigation continues, but for North Macedonia, the scars of this tragedy will last a lifetime.
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