KOCANI, North Macedonia — In the wake of a devastating nightclub fire that claimed numerous young lives, North Macedonia is struggling to ensure accountability and prevent future disasters.
The Club Pulse fire in Kocani, a town in eastern North Macedonia, erupted early Sunday, resulting in the deaths of 59 people and injuries to 155 others. The injured suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and trampling injuries as they desperately tried to escape through the building’s sole exit.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but video footage indicates that pyrotechnics used during a band’s performance ignited the ceiling of Club Pulse, starting the blaze.
The victims included individuals as young as 16, prompting the nation to declare a seven-day mourning period.
“We are all in shock, and I am shocked myself: as a mother, as a person, as a president,” stated North Macedonian President Gordana Davkova Siljanovska in her Sunday night address to the nation.
She added, “I still cannot believe that the terrible tragedy in Kocani is a reality. I do not know with what words to express my condolences to the parents and loved ones of the deceased. No one responsible should escape the law, justice and punishment! Let us not allow anyone to endanger the lives of innocent people anymore.”
The fire, deeply felt in the nation of 2 million due to strong family connections, is the latest in a series of deadly nightclub fires worldwide.
Allegation of bribery surrounding nightclub
Authorities are investigating allegations of bribery related to the overcrowded nightclub, which was operating at twice its capacity. The government has ordered a comprehensive three-day inspection of all nightclubs and cabarets nationwide, beginning Monday.
The country mourns as harrowing scenes unfold in the town of 25,000, where rescue workers spent hours recovering the charred remains of the victims.
The fire caused a partial collapse of the single-story building’s roof, revealing the burned remnants of wooden beams and other debris.
Anxious parents gathered at hospitals in Kocani and Skopje, the capital city located approximately 115 kilometers (72 miles) west, seeking updates on their injured children.
Dragi Stojanov, waiting outside the hospital in Kocani, received the devastating news that his 21-year-old son, Tomce, had died.
“He was my only child. I don’t need my life anymore. … 150 families have been devastated,” he told reporters. “Children burnt beyond recognition. There are corpses, just corpses inside (the club). … And the bosses (of organized crime), just putting money into their pockets.”
Neighboring countries provide help
Flags are flying at half-staff across the country. Health Minister Arben Taravari indicated that the death toll could increase, with 20 of the injured in critical condition.
Neighboring countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey have already accepted many of the most severely injured patients. The government is also in discussions with other countries to arrange additional hospital transfers, according to officials.
“All patients who have been transferred abroad are currently in stable condition. We hope it stays that way and that we will receive positive news from abroad,” Taravari stated on Monday, also mentioning that several countries are sending medical teams to North Macedonia.
Safety code violations in the club
“We even tried to get out through the bathroom, only to find bars (on the windows),” 19-year-old Marija Taseva told The Associated Press. “I somehow managed to get out. I fell down the stairs and they ran over me, trampled me. … I barely stayed alive and could hardly breathe.” She sustained a facial injury.
According to a state prosecutor, a preliminary inspection of the nightclub revealed numerous safety violations, including a lack of emergency exits, an insufficient number of fire extinguishers, and inadequate access for emergency vehicles.
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski reported that 15 individuals have been detained for questioning after an initial inspection showed the club was operating without the required license and had at least twice its official capacity of 250 people inside.
“We have grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption in this case,” he told reporters, without providing further details.
Condolences have been sent from leaders throughout Europe, as well as from the office of Pope Francis.
“I have had many difficult moments and challenges in my life but today is by far the most difficult day of my life,” said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in a televised address. “My heart is breaking, and I have no strength to speak today. I am broken and my spirit is broken.”
Late Sunday, residents of Kocani held a candlelight vigil to support the grieving families, waiting in long lines to light candles in church.
Beti Delovska, an economist from Skopje, expressed that North Macedonia has never experienced a tragedy of this magnitude, with dozens of young people dying within minutes. She also pointed out that many young people with promising futures have already left the country in search of better opportunities.
“(North) Macedonia is on its death bed,” Delovska said. “We have no more credible institutions, the health system is completely dismantled, education is poor, judiciary is partisan and corrupted to the bone. … I do believe now that only God can save (North) Macedonia.”
—Testorides reported from Skopje, North Macedonia