A devastating fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia claimed at least 59 lives and left over 150 injured during a packed concert attended by more than a thousand people, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The fire broke out at Pulse, a popular nightclub in the town of Kocani, approximately 100 km east of the capital, Skopje. The venue was hosting a performance by DNK, a well-known hip-hop duo, and had attracted around 1,500 attendees, primarily young people.
According to local reports, the blaze erupted around 3 am (0200 GMT), causing chaos as concertgoers attempted to escape the inferno. Online media outlet SDK cited rescue officials who confirmed that over 100 people suffered injuries in the tragedy.
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, expressed his condolences, calling it “a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia.” Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he added, “The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones, and friends is immeasurable. The people and the government will do everything in their power to at least slightly alleviate their pain and help them in these most difficult moments.”
Emergency responders quickly transported the injured to hospitals in Kocani and Stip, about 30 km south of the town. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, but local media speculated that pyrotechnic devices used during the concert may have triggered the blaze.
Sources By Agencies
