Kochani, North Macedonia – A fire tore through a nightclub in North Macedonia, killing 59 people and injuring about 155 others. Officials say pyrotechnics caused the disaster. Nightclub Fire Blamed on Pyrotechnics..
What Happened?
Hundreds gathered at Pulse Nightclub in Kochani, east of the capital Skopje, to watch local band DNK perform early Sunday morning. During the show, sparks from stage effects set fire to the ceiling, leading to thick smoke and panic.
“The fire started from pyrotechnics used during the concert,” said Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski. “The flames spread quickly because the ceiling was made of flammable material.”
Victims and Injuries
- Victims ranged from 16 to 24 years old.
- Many died from smoke inhalation and crowd crush.
- 152 people were taken to hospitals across the country.
- 27 seriously injured victims are being treated abroad.
- Football player Andrej Lazarov, 25, was among those killed.
Eyewitness Accounts
Concertgoer Marija Taseva, 22, described the chaos:
“Everyone was trying to save themselves. I fell, and people ran over me. I lost my sister in the crowd, and we can’t find her in any hospital.”
Police Investigation
Authorities have detained the nightclub owner and 15 other suspects linked to the fire. Justice Minister Igor Filkov said all responsible parties will face charges.
Global Support and Reactions
- North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called it a “tragic day.”
- Leaders from Europe and the U.S. shared their condolences.
- Israeli medical teams will help treat burn victims.
- Pope Francis sent prayers for the victims and their families.
Similar Past Tragedies
This is one of the deadliest nightclub fires in recent years:
- 2015 – Romania: Fire at a concert killed 64 people.
- 2013 – Brazil: Pyrotechnics caused a fire, killing 240 people.
National Mourning Declared
North Macedonia’s government has declared a week of mourning to honor the victims.
Source: cnn.com
