A fire erupted at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, on March 16, 2025, resulting in at least 59 fatalities and injuring approximately 155 individuals. The incident started at about 2:30 AM local time during a live concert when pyrotechnic devices set off a blaze by igniting flammable material on the ceiling, causing the fire to engulf the venue rapidly.
The majority of the victims were youths aged between 18 and 23 who perished due to burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries from a stampede as they attempted to evacuate the premises. Some of the youngest victims were 14 and 16 years old. The tragedy also claimed the lives of several members of the performing hip-hop group DNK, including a lead singer. Among the deceased was 25-year-old professional soccer player Andrej Lazarov of FC Shkupi, who reportedly died while attempting to rescue others from the blaze.
The nightclub was operating without a valid license and had only one functional exit. The back door was reportedly locked, leading to panic and a deadly crush at the main entrance. The establishment was overcrowded, housing at least twice its official capacity of 250 people when the fire broke out.
“This is the most difficult day of my life,” Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski declared, pledging to combat the “deeply corrupt system” that has troubled the nation for years.
Authorities have detained between 15 and 20 individuals for questioning, including officials from governmental bodies involved in issuing the nightclub’s license. The interior minister noted suspicions of bribery and corruption, as the nightclub’s operating license was reportedly falsified.
Among those arrested are an employee from the Ministry of the Economy, the former secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy, and a senior official from the ministry. Additionally, the region’s former director for protection and rescue and three other employees from that institution are under investigation.
The North Macedonian government declared a week of national mourning following the tragedy, one of the deadliest nightclub fires in over a decade. Similar incidents in Romania in 2015 and Brazil in 2013 were also attributed to the use of pyrotechnics.
The President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, stated that “no business can function without proper standards and rules to protect innocent lives.”
The injured are receiving medical attention in hospitals nationwide, with many suffering from second-degree burns. Around 27 of the most seriously injured are being treated in specialized clinics in neighboring countries, with some transported to Greece for advanced care.
European leaders and officials conveyed their condolences to North Macedonia, and Israel offered medical support for the injured. The tragedy has profoundly impacted the tiny Balkan nation, with the prime minister describing the loss of young lives as “irreparable.”
The single-story building housing the nightclub partially collapsed during the fire, complicating rescue efforts. Videos from the scene reveal the structure engulfed in flames and dense smoke as emergency services attempted to manage the blaze and aid the injured.
In response to the incident, the government plans to conduct emergency inspections of all nightclubs and venues hosting parties nationwide to prevent similar occurrences.
The fire has sent shockwaves throughout North Macedonia and internationally, with condolences and offers of aid coming from global leaders. The town of Kocani, where the nightclub was situated, has been particularly affected by the loss of its young residents.
