At least 59 people have died, and many more are injured following a tragic fire at the Pulse nightclub during a popular hip-hop show. Eyewitness accounts reveal a chaotic scene as panicked partygoers attempted to escape from a single exit, leading to a tragic loss of life and serious injuries.
Tragedy Strikes North Macedonia: Nightclub Fire Claims Lives and Unleashes Grief
Tragedy Strikes North Macedonia: Nightclub Fire Claims Lives and Unleashes Grief
A fire during a concert at a nightclub in Kocani leaves a community mourning and seeking accountability.
Marija Taseva was among those who felt the devastation firsthand, recalling the moment the fire broke out. "Everyone started screaming and shouting 'get out, get out!'" the 19-year-old survivor told reporters. She lost her sister in the chaos while escaping, as trapped attendees struggled to reach safety through the venue’s single exit.
The fire erupted around 02:30 local time, reportedly caused by pyrotechnic sparks igniting the highly flammable ceiling material. There were about 500 people inside at the time, and authorities have indicated that the club was operating illegally without a proper license. The venue, which used to be a carpet warehouse, has come under scrutiny for its unregulated conditions.
Authorities have detained 15 individuals connected to the incident, including the club’s owner and former officials, amidst allegations of bribery and corruption. North Macedonia’s Interior Minister, Pance Toskovski, stated there is a need to investigate potential negligence leading up to the fire. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has vowed that justice will not be withheld based on political ties.
Among the injured, many are young, with some suffering severe burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Doctors at local hospitals have described extensive injuries, with some victims needing specialized treatment in neighboring countries.
As families grapple with the enormity of their losses, North Macedonia observes a seven-day national mourning period. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova emphasized the necessity of accountability for the incident, stating that, "Nothing is worthier than human life, specifically young life."
As the investigation continues, a community stands in grief, with many searching for answers amidst profound sorrow.
The fire erupted around 02:30 local time, reportedly caused by pyrotechnic sparks igniting the highly flammable ceiling material. There were about 500 people inside at the time, and authorities have indicated that the club was operating illegally without a proper license. The venue, which used to be a carpet warehouse, has come under scrutiny for its unregulated conditions.
Authorities have detained 15 individuals connected to the incident, including the club’s owner and former officials, amidst allegations of bribery and corruption. North Macedonia’s Interior Minister, Pance Toskovski, stated there is a need to investigate potential negligence leading up to the fire. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has vowed that justice will not be withheld based on political ties.
Among the injured, many are young, with some suffering severe burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Doctors at local hospitals have described extensive injuries, with some victims needing specialized treatment in neighboring countries.
As families grapple with the enormity of their losses, North Macedonia observes a seven-day national mourning period. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova emphasized the necessity of accountability for the incident, stating that, "Nothing is worthier than human life, specifically young life."
As the investigation continues, a community stands in grief, with many searching for answers amidst profound sorrow.
