Key Points:
- At least 59 people confirmed dead, over 150 injured in tragic nightclub fire.
- Blaze erupted during live performance by popular hip-hop duo ADN.
- Pyrotechnic effects suspected as the cause; investigation underway.
- Around 1,500 attendees were present at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani.
North Macedonia: A devastating fire ripped through the packed Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, early Sunday morning, tragically claiming the lives of at least 59 people and injuring more than 150 others. The nightclub, located approximately 100 kilometers east of the capital Skopje, was hosting a live performance by ADN, a famous hip-hop duo, when the blaze erupted.
The incident occurred around 2:00 AM local time during ADN’s highly anticipated live performance. Approximately 1,500 fans had gathered to watch the renowned hip-hop duo when pyrotechnic effects used as part of the show reportedly ignited sparks that rapidly set the club’s ceiling ablaze. Within moments, flames engulfed the entire venue, causing panic and chaos as patrons scrambled to escape.
Videos circulating widely on social media capture harrowing scenes of the nightclub fully consumed by fire, with thick plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky. Footage verified by Reuters shows sparks from stage flares igniting the ceiling above performers, prompting immediate evacuation efforts by both musicians and audience members.
Local emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, with firefighters battling for hours to control the inferno. Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed that over 155 injured individuals have been hospitalized in medical facilities across Kocani, Štip, and Skopje. Many of those hospitalized sustained severe burns and injuries from smoke inhalation.
Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the exact death toll and continue to assess casualties. Meanwhile, families anxiously gathered outside hospitals awaiting news about their loved ones. Heartbreaking scenes unfolded as parents searched desperately for missing children amid uncertainty and grief.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed profound sorrow over the incident on social media, calling it a “challenging and profoundly sorrowful day for Macedonia.” Neighboring countries including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia have extended offers of support and assistance during this crisis.
The Pulse nightclub was housed in a single-story building previously used as a carpet warehouse. The intensity of the fire caused part of its roof to collapse completely. Authorities have cordoned off the site for ongoing investigations conducted jointly by state prosecutors and evidence collection teams to determine precise details surrounding this catastrophic event.
