A devastating fire ripped through Club Pulse, a popular nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, in the early hours of Sunday, leaving 59 people dead and injuring 155 others. Authorities say the fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. local time while a local pop group was performing, turning a night of music and celebration into sheer horror.
Chaos and Desperation Amid the Blaze
Witness videos captured the terrifying moment when sparkling pyrotechnics from the stage ignited the ceiling, quickly turning the club into an inferno. The scene inside was pure chaos—panicked clubgoers rushed through thick smoke, scrambling to find exits as musicians desperately urged people to get out.
The fire’s intensity caused the roof of the single-story building—originally a carpet warehouse—to partially collapse, leaving behind a skeletal frame of charred wooden beams and scattered debris. Police swiftly cordoned off the area, launching an intensive investigation alongside state prosecutors.
Heartbreaking Losses and Grieving Families
As the sun rose over Kocani, the true extent of the tragedy became painfully clear. Outside hospitals and city offices, anguished families gathered, desperate for news about their loved ones. Dragi Stojanov, a local resident, received the worst possible news—his 21-year-old son, Tomce, was among the dead.
“He was my only child. I don’t need my life anymore… 150 families have been devastated,” he sobbed, describing the unspeakable horror of seeing “children burnt beyond recognition.” The grim reality of the tragedy became apparent as rescue teams worked tirelessly, uncovering corpses from the club’s ruins.
An Outpouring of Condolences and Global Support
Messages of grief and solidarity poured in from across the world. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended their condolences. Zelenskyy took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day.”
Even Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for the past month battling double pneumonia, sent a heartfelt message of sympathy to the victims and their families.
Hospitals Overwhelmed, Efforts to Save Lives
Health Minister Arben Taravari assured the public that all available resources were being mobilized to treat the wounded. Many victims suffered from severe burns and smoke inhalation, requiring urgent medical care. Neighboring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia, quickly stepped in with offers of assistance.
“All our capabilities have been put to use, in a maximum effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy,” Taravari stated, visibly shaken as he addressed reporters. In Skopje, hospitals were at full capacity, with emergency responders and volunteers working around the clock to stabilize patients.
Investigation Underway: Was It Preventable?
The disaster raises urgent questions about safety regulations and fire preparedness in entertainment venues. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski revealed that authorities are investigating whether Club Pulse had proper licensing and safety provisions. The government, he added, has a “moral responsibility” to prosecute those accountable.
State prosecutor Ljubco Kocevski confirmed that multiple individuals were being questioned, though no specific details were disclosed. One person has already been taken into custody, but officials have not yet provided information on their involvement.
A Tragic Pattern: Pyrotechnics and Nightclub Fires
This catastrophe is eerily reminiscent of past nightclub fires caused by pyrotechnics. The 2015 Colectiv club fire in Bucharest, Romania, claimed 64 lives under similar circumstances, highlighting the dangers of indoor fireworks in tightly packed venues.
Club Pulse, housed in an older building, had been operating for years without major incidents—until now. Authorities are examining whether outdated infrastructure contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
A Nation in Mourning
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited burn victims at a hospital in Skopje, offering words of comfort to families waiting anxiously outside. Struggling to hold back tears, she called the tragedy “unbelievable” and emphasized the need to support survivors in the difficult days ahead. “We must give these young people courage to continue,” she said.
As Kocani grapples with the aftermath of this horrific event, the community, the nation, and the world mourn the lives lost. The search for answers—and justice—has just begun, but for the grieving families, no investigation will ever bring back what was lost in the flames.
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