In the small town of Kocani, North Macedonia, heartbreak and devastation have gripped the community after a deadly fire tore through Club Pulse during a live concert on Sunday night. The blaze left 59 people dead and over 150 injured, with many victims suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation, while others were trampled in the frantic rush to escape through the club’s only exit.
Among those who lost their lives was 25-year-old Andrej Stojanov, who tragically died while trying to save others. His father, Tomco Stojanov, spoke through tears, saying, “My son went back inside to help others, but he was pushed and trampled in the chaos. My pain is endless.”
The fire, reportedly sparked by pyrotechnics that ignited the ceiling, caused part of the roof to collapse, leaving behind a scene of destruction and charred debris. Authorities have since launched an investigation, uncovering numerous safety violations, including a lack of emergency exits, insufficient fire extinguishers, and the use of flammable materials inside the club.
“This was a catastrophic failure of the system,” stated state prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski, revealing that the club was operating without a proper license and had exceeded its capacity of 250 people by more than double.
In response to the tragedy, North Macedonia’s government has declared seven days of national mourning and ordered inspections of all nightclubs and entertainment venues across the country to prevent a similar disaster.
Neighboring countries, including Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey, have stepped in to assist by accepting severely injured patients for treatment. Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed that 20 people remain in critical condition.
The local community has been left shattered, with residents gathering for candlelight vigils to honor the victims. Meanwhile, ten individuals have been taken into custody for questioning as authorities work to hold those responsible accountable.
“This country is falling apart,” said Skopje resident Beti Delovska. “Our institutions are corrupt, the healthcare system is broken, and now we’re losing our young people to tragedies like this. Only God can save us now.”
As North Macedonia mourns this unimaginable loss, families like the Stojanovs are left grieving loved ones whose lives were cut short in an avoidable tragedy.
