Skopje (North Macedonia) – A dramatic fire in a nightclub in Kocani, eastern North Macedonia, has killed 51 people, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski announced at a press conference today.
The accident, which occurred around 2:35 a.m. during a concert by a local pop group, has plunged the country into mourning and consternation.
According to initial reconstructions, the fire was triggered by the use of fireworks by some young people present in the club. The flames, which quickly spread, reached the roof of the building, creating a situation of chaos and panic.
Videos circulating on social media showed moments of terror inside the nightclub, with attendees desperately trying to escape amidst thick smoke and flames. The musicians on stage, aware of the danger, urged the crowd to evacuate as quickly as possible.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), calling the tragedy “a difficult and very sad day for the country.” “The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families and friends is immeasurable,” he wrote. Mickoski assured that “the people and the government will do everything possible to at least partially alleviate their pain and support them in these extremely difficult times.”
In front of hospitals and municipal offices in Kocani, relatives of the victims gathered in search of news about their loved ones, in an atmosphere of anguish and desperation. The authorities are still working to identify the victims and provide updated information to relatives.
Meanwhile, police have arrested a man in connection with the incident, but Minister Toshkovski did not provide further details about his alleged involvement. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact dynamics of the fire and assess possible responsibilities.
The tragedy in Kocani has deeply shaken North Macedonia, raising questions about the safety of public places and fire prevention measures. As the country mourns the victims, it expects the authorities to provide concrete answers to prevent similar disasters from happening again in the future.
Article published on March 16, 2025 - 11pm
It's really sad that something like this happened, I can't understand how fireworks can cause such a devastating fire. I hope the authorities will clarify and take safety measures.
The fire in Kocani was a tragic thing, you can't imagine how much pain it can cause. The security of public places must be improved, otherwise bad things like this happen. I hope the authorities act quickly.