Kochani, North Macedonia – A tragic fire engulfed a nightclub, claiming the lives of 59 people and injuring around 150 individuals. The incident occurred during a performance by local act DNK at the ‘Pulse’ nightclub in the town of Kochani, east of the capital Skopje in North Macedonia. The country’s Interior Minister, Panche Toshkovski, attributed the fire to pyrotechnic effects used during the concert, which quickly led to the blaze spreading throughout the venue.

Videos from inside the club captured the chaos as attendees tried to escape the rapidly spreading fire. One survivor, 22-year-old Marija Taseva, shared her harrowing experience of being trampled in the stampede to escape the flames. The tragedy resulted in at least 152 individuals sustaining injuries, with many being treated for severe burns on their hands and faces.

Authorities have taken swift action following the incident, detaining the nightclub owner and vowing to hold all those involved accountable for the disaster. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the day as “difficult and very sad,” emphasizing the irreplaceable loss of young lives.

Leaders from across Europe, including Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, have expressed their condolences for the victims. In a show of solidarity, Angela Aggeler, the US ambassador to North Macedonia, extended support from the US embassy to those affected by the tragedy. This devastating nightclub fire ranks among the deadliest in recent years, drawing parallels to similar incidents in Bucharest, Romania, and Santa Maria, Brazil, where pyrotechnics also led to tragic outcomes.

In response to the tragedy, North Macedonia’s government announced a week of national mourning to honor the victims of the nightclub fire. The country mourns the lives lost and the impact of this catastrophic event on the community as investigations into the cause of the fire continue to unfold.