North Macedonia: Death Toll Rises to 59 in Nightclub Fire – Burn Victims Transferred to Thessaloniki

Four Arrest Warrants Issued as Investigation into FTragedy’s Causes Continues.

In a devastating incident, at least 59 people lost their lives and more than 155 were injured in a fire that broke out at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, during the early hours of Sunday, March 16, 2025. The majority of the victims were young people who had gathered to attend a concert by the popular hip-hop group DNK. The fire, which erupted around 3 a.m., is believed to have been sparked by indoor pyrotechnics used during the performance, with initial reports suggesting that sparks ignited the club’s flammable ceiling, causing the blaze to spread rapidly and fill the venue with thick, toxic smoke.

The nightclub, located approximately 100 kilometers from Skopje, was packed with around 1,500 attendees at the time of the incident. As panic gripped the crowd, a deadly stampede ensued, exacerbating the tragedy as people were crushed in the rush to escape. Of the 59 victims, 35 have been identified so far, with 31 hailing from the nearby cities of Kočani and Štip. The injured, totaling 155 as reported by Interior Minister Panče Toškovski during a press conference, were rushed to local hospitals, with 70 treated at Kočani’s hospital for burns and respiratory issues caused by carbon monoxide inhalation. The ages of the deceased ranged from 14 to 25, according to Kristina Serafimovska, the hospital’s director.

In the aftermath, four arrest warrants were issued as part of an ongoing investigation into the disaster’s causes, though the minister did not disclose the identities of the suspects. Preliminary findings point to the use of pyrotechnics as the trigger, with videos posted on social media prior to the fire showing fireworks being set off on stage during the concert, which began at midnight. Witnesses described a chaotic scene: “At first, we didn’t realize there was a fire. Then there was massive panic and a stampede at the exit,” said a young woman who attended the event, speaking to local media outside a Skopje hospital where she awaited news of a friend with burns on his arm. “Firefighters and ambulances arrived quickly, but it wasn’t enough,” she added.

Among the casualties was a narcotics police officer on duty during the event. Additionally, Vladimir Blažev, a member of DNK, sustained facial burns and is currently intubated in critical condition, according to his sister. Three burn victims were transferred to Papanikolaou Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece, for advanced treatment, with the transfer coordinated through Greece’s Foreign Ministry and facilitated by North Macedonian ambulances. These cases are reported to be severe.

Interior Minister Toškovski noted, “The fire likely started when sparks from the pyrotechnics reached the ceiling, made of highly flammable material. Within moments, the entire nightclub was engulfed in flames and smoke.” Footage circulating online shows towering flames consuming the building and emergency vehicles stationed outside as responders battled the blaze.

The international community has responded with condolences and offers of aid. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov called it a “huge human tragedy” and offered to treat victims in Sofia and Varna hospitals, stating, “I’ve ordered full preparations for their reception.” Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama pledged “any necessary assistance,” while EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas expressed “deep sorrow” on X, affirming the EU’s solidarity with North Macedonia. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also extended heartfelt condolences to the nation.

The tragedy has left the country in mourning, with questions mounting over safety regulations and accountability as investigators work to uncover the full scope of what went wrong at the Pulse nightclub.