At least 59 people are dead and more than 150 injured after a fire tore through the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, early Sunday morning, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed. The blaze erupted around 3 a.m. during a concert featuring local pop group DNK, when pyrotechnics ignited the venue's ceiling, which was lined with highly flammable materials.
"Everyone who made a mistake will bear responsibility," Toshkovski stated at a press conference, adding, "We are coordinating with the Public Prosecutor's Office and will soon come up with more information. We will have to work step by step."
Authorities have already issued arrest warrants for four individuals in connection with the fire, and 20 people have been detained so far. Among those arrested is an employee of the Ministry of Economy, which is responsible for issuing venue licenses. Investigators revealed that Pulse's operating license had been falsified.
Footage circulating online shows the nightclub engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing over Kocani, a town located approximately 100 kilometers east of the capital, Skopje. Videos taken moments before the fire show stage fountains-indoor fireworks-being set off as the concert progressed. Toshkovski said the sparks "caught the ceiling, which was made of easily flammable material, after which the fire rapidly spread across the whole discotheque, creating thick smoke."
Health authorities reported that at least 50 of the injured concertgoers suffered severe burns. Kristina Serafimova, director of Kocani General Hospital, confirmed that most of the victims are between 14 and 24 years old. "Some of the deceased remain unidentified as they were not carrying identification documents," Serafimova told local newspaper Sloboden Pecat. Among the confirmed fatalities are DNK band members Andrej Gorgieski, Filip Stevanovski, and Gorgi Gorgijev, as well as the group's backup vocalist and photographer, Sara Projkovska.
The Macedonian government is expected to declare a seven-day period of national mourning. Emergency inspections of nightclubs and restaurants hosting parties are also being ordered following the tragedy, according to local media reports.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called the incident "a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia," writing in a Facebook post, "The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable. The government is fully mobilized and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy."
The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that emergency services, as well as prosecutors from Kocani's Basic Public Prosecutor's Office, are actively investigating. "The number of victims and injured is still being determined. All resources and capacities of the prosecution offices will be mobilised to support the Kocani prosecution in its urgent response," the office said.
Condolences poured in from neighboring countries and international leaders. European Council President Antonio Costa wrote, "Heartbroken by the loss of so many young people in the terrible fire in Kocani. My thoughts go out to all the families of the victims of this tragedy." Pope Francis expressed prayers for the victims and survivors, sending "the expression of his deep condolence" through the Vatican's message to Bishop Kiro Stojanov of Skopje.
Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, posted on X, "Deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Kočani North Macedonia, which claimed lives of too many young people. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the whole of North Macedonia."
