03/16/2025
Macedonia, Mar. 16: At least 50 people were killed in a fire that broke out at a nightclub early in North Macedonia early on Sunday. The accident took place during a concert for which over a thousand attendees had gathered, the state news agency MIA reported.
Citing the interior ministry, MIA stated, “At least 50 people died in a discotheque in Kočani” — a town about 60 miles east of the capital, Skopje. The venue, identified as Pulse nightclub, was hosting a concert by DNK, a well-known hip-hop duo in the country. The event, which drew a crowd of approximately 1,500, was primarily attended by young people.
The fire reportedly started at around 3 am (0200 GMT), and swiftly spread to the nightclub’s ceiling and roof, which were instantly consumed by the flames. The sudden blaze led to a scene of panic as concertgoers attempted to escape.
More than 100 people sustained injuries, and the wounded were transported to hospitals in Kočani and Stip, a town about 20 miles to the south. “The number of victims and injured in the fire is being determined,” the public prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
While local media have speculated that the fire may have been caused by pyrotechnic devices used during the concert, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause. Emergency responders, including firefighters and medical teams, worked through the night to manage the situation and assist the victims.-Agencies