A devastating nightclub fire in North Macedonia has claimed the lives of at least 51 people, with more than 100 others injured, the country’s interior ministry has confirmed.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday at the Pulse club in Kocani, a town situated approximately 100 kilometres east of the capital, Skopje.
Footage circulating on social media captures the harrowing sight of the building engulfed in flames, thick plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the inferno continued to rage for hours, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation.
The fire is believed to have ignited at around 3:00 am local time (02:00 GMT) during a performance by ADN, a hip-hop duo popular in the region. The club was reportedly packed with as many as 1,500 revellers attending the concert when disaster struck. Witnesses describe a chaotic scramble for the exits as flames spread at an alarming speed.
Local media reports suggest that the blaze may have been sparked by the use of pyrotechnic devices during the performance. Footage purportedly from inside the venue shows sparks cascading from the stage and igniting the ceiling, with the fire then sweeping rapidly through the crowded club.
Authorities have launched an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire, as questions mount over safety measures and fire protocols at the venue. Officials are expected to examine whether the use of pyrotechnics was authorised and whether the club met regulatory fire safety standards.
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Dimitar Kovachevski, has declared a national day of mourning, expressing his profound sorrow over the tragedy. “This is a dark day for our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” he said in a televised address.
In Kocani, stunned residents gathered near the site of the disaster, some anxiously awaiting news of missing loved ones. Survivors have recounted scenes of terror, with some clubgoers forced to smash windows in a desperate bid to escape the inferno. Emergency responders have warned that the death toll could yet rise as rescue workers continue their grim search through the wreckage.
This disaster is likely to trigger renewed scrutiny over fire safety regulations in North Macedonia, with concerns mounting over whether clubs and entertainment venues are adequately prepared to handle such emergencies.
Eyewitness reports suggest that the speed at which the fire spread left many with little chance to flee, raising fears that crucial fire prevention measures may have been lacking.
In the coming days, authorities will be under pressure to provide answers as the nation grapples with one of its worst fire tragedies in recent history. For the families of the victims, however, the grief is immeasurable, as they come to terms with the loss of loved ones who had merely set out for a night of music and celebration.
