In the aftermath of a devastating fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, families remember their lost loved ones while questions of accountability arise.
North Macedonia in Mourning: Heartbreak Follows Nightclub Tragedy
North Macedonia in Mourning: Heartbreak Follows Nightclub Tragedy
Tragic fire at nightclub claims lives of 59, survivors and families express their despair.
The tragic events unfolded on Saturday night when a fire erupted during a performance by the hip-hop group DNK. Marija Taseva, a survivor who was enjoying a night out with her sister, recounted the horrifying scene as chaos ensued. “Everyone started screaming and shouting 'get out, get out!'” she recalled, describing the horror as she and approximately 500 other attendees frantically tried to flee. Tragically, the venue had only one exit, and the rear door was locked, leading to a deadly stampede.
Taseva managed to escape, but her sister did not survive the inferno. “My sister died. I was saved and she wasn't,” she lamented. The fire, attributed to sparks from pyrotechnics igniting the venue's flammable ceiling, now leaves families in grief.
Reports indicate that ten individuals, including officials connected to the club's licensing, have been detained as part of the investigation. The nightclub, described by local media as an "improvised venue," lacked the appropriate legal clearance to operate. Authorities are now investigating possible bribery and corruption linked to its operations.
Many victims suffered serious injuries from both the flames and the ensuing panic. Kocani Hospital's head, Kristina Serafimovska, shared that among the injured, 70 suffered burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Survivors are receiving treatment for extensive injuries, with some being transferred to clinics in neighboring countries for specialized care.
The scene remains tragic, with families discovering the extent of loss as they await news of their loved ones. Volunteer Mustafa Saidov noted that many of the victims were young, with parents in their 40s now mourning children in their late teens or early twenties. The heartache is palpable as Dragi Stojanov expressed his sorrow after losing his only child, stating, “I lost everything… after this tragedy, what do I need this life for?”
North Macedonia's President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, has called for accountability, stating that those responsible must face justice. In recognition of the tragedy, the government has announced seven days of national mourning, while an emergency session will address ongoing investigations into this heartbreaking disaster.
Taseva managed to escape, but her sister did not survive the inferno. “My sister died. I was saved and she wasn't,” she lamented. The fire, attributed to sparks from pyrotechnics igniting the venue's flammable ceiling, now leaves families in grief.
Reports indicate that ten individuals, including officials connected to the club's licensing, have been detained as part of the investigation. The nightclub, described by local media as an "improvised venue," lacked the appropriate legal clearance to operate. Authorities are now investigating possible bribery and corruption linked to its operations.
Many victims suffered serious injuries from both the flames and the ensuing panic. Kocani Hospital's head, Kristina Serafimovska, shared that among the injured, 70 suffered burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. Survivors are receiving treatment for extensive injuries, with some being transferred to clinics in neighboring countries for specialized care.
The scene remains tragic, with families discovering the extent of loss as they await news of their loved ones. Volunteer Mustafa Saidov noted that many of the victims were young, with parents in their 40s now mourning children in their late teens or early twenties. The heartache is palpable as Dragi Stojanov expressed his sorrow after losing his only child, stating, “I lost everything… after this tragedy, what do I need this life for?”
North Macedonia's President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, has called for accountability, stating that those responsible must face justice. In recognition of the tragedy, the government has announced seven days of national mourning, while an emergency session will address ongoing investigations into this heartbreaking disaster.
