Authorities in North Macedonia have ordered the closure of dozens of nightclubs and entertainment venues across the country after a devastating fire at an unlicensed venue killed 59 people. The fire broke out at Club Pulse in the eastern town of Kočani on Sunday during a concert featuring the popular hip-hop duo DNK.
In response to the tragedy, government officials launched a nationwide inspection of entertainment establishments, revealing that only 22 out of 50 venues examined had valid operating licenses. Government spokesperson Marija Miteva confirmed the findings, stating that venues with expired or non-existent licenses had been ordered to suspend operations until their documentation was properly reviewed and validated.
Investigation and Arrests
Authorities have identified multiple safety and licensing violations at Club Pulse, where the fire originated due to the use of pyrotechnics during the concert. Police have since questioned more than 70 individuals in connection with the incident, and 16 people remain in custody for further interrogation.
The disaster has sent shockwaves through the Balkan nation of two million people, sparking widespread anti-corruption protests and mass vigils as citizens demand accountability from officials responsible for enforcing safety regulations.
National Mourning and Funeral Services
In light of the tragedy, North Macedonia has declared a week of national mourning. Funeral services for the victims, most of whom were young concertgoers, are scheduled for Thursday in Kočani. Memorial services will also be held in other parts of the country.
Metropolitan Bishop Ilarion of Bregalnica, which includes Kočani, urged the public to remain united during this difficult time. “Let us be calm, let us be gentle, let us be peaceful, patient,” he said. “Let our prayers and our thoughts be directed towards our deceased, but also towards our injured for their health and recovery.”
International Support for the Injured
Of the 150 people injured in the fire, dozens have been transferred to hospitals across Europe for specialized burn treatment. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Greece are leading an EU-coordinated response effort through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre. Additionally, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Lithuania, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Norway have extended offers of assistance to North Macedonia in the wake of the disaster.
Stojance Angelov, head of North Macedonia’s crisis management agency, confirmed that the country’s Orthodox Church is overseeing funeral arrangements. In an emotional statement, he expressed the depth of the nation’s grief.
“No words can truly capture the depth of this tragedy or express the overwhelming sadness I feel,” Angelov wrote online. “Broken by grief, I cannot find anything strong enough to convey my condolences to the families who lost their beloved sons and daughters.”
The government has pledged to improve enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
