At least 59 people have tragically lost their lives, and more than 155 others have been injured following a devastating fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia. The blaze erupted around 02:30 local time (01:30 GMT) on Saturday morning at the Pulse club in Kocani, a town located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of the country’s capital, Skopje.
The club was packed with over 1,500 people who had gathered to attend a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop duo in North Macedonia. The fire caused panic and chaos, with many unable to escape the intense flames and smoke. Emergency services rushed to the scene to assist in the evacuation and provide medical care to the injured. The majority of the injured were treated for burns, smoke inhalation, and trauma.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his grief over the incident, calling it “a difficult and very sad day” for the country. He emphasized the tragic loss of young lives in this horrific event. The Prime Minister has offered his condolences to the victims’ families and assured that the government would provide necessary support to those affected by the fire.
As authorities continue their investigation, it has been revealed that the Pulse nightclub did not have a legal license to operate, raising serious questions about safety regulations. Interior Minister Pance Toskovski confirmed this information in a press briefing on Saturday afternoon. The police have cordoned off the nightclub to preserve the scene for further investigation.
The fire has sent shockwaves through North Macedonia and the region, prompting widespread calls for tighter regulations and better safety measures at public venues. Many have expressed concern over the safety of other nightclubs and concert halls in the country.
