51 Killed, Over 100 Injured in Massive Nightclub Fire In North Macedonia

Kocani: A massive fire broke out at a nightclub in North Macedonia’s southern town of Kocani early Sunday morning, killing at least 51 people and injuring around 100.

According to reports, the incident occurred at a discotheque named Pulse, located about 100 km east of the capital, Skopje.

The blaze erupted around 2:35 a.m. during a concert by a local pop group, with approximately 1,500 people in attendance.

In a statement, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said the fire was triggered when young clubgoers used pyrotechnics, causing the roof to catch fire. Videos circulating on social media show chaos inside the nightclub as the flames spread.

Several clips online depict the nightclub engulfed in flames, with panicked attendees running through thick smoke. Footage also shows musicians urging the crowd to evacuate as quickly as possible.

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Responds

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, mourned the loss of lives, writing on X: “This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones, and friends is immeasurable.”

“The people and the government will do everything in their power to alleviate their pain and support them in these difficult moments,” he added.

The injured were swiftly transported to local hospitals in Kocani and Stip, about 30 km south of the town. Family members gathered outside hospitals, anxiously awaiting updates.

Toshkovski confirmed that police have arrested one person, though details on their involvement are still awaited. Officials are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.