A horrific fire engulfed the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, in the early hours of Sunday, March 16, 2025, leaving at least 51 dead and more than 100 injured. The blaze broke out around 2:35 AM during a packed concert by the popular hip-hop duo DNK, with around 1,500 mostly young attendees inside the venue. Sky News reports that pyrotechnics sparked the disaster, igniting the flammable ceiling and sending flames racing through the building, trapping scores of partygoers in a deadly inferno.
Emergency services, including firefighters from nearby towns, battled the fire for hours as thick smoke billowed into the night sky. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people scrambled to escape, with social media footage showing sparks flying from the stage before the ceiling erupted in flames. Many of the injured, some with severe burns, were rushed to hospitals in Kocani, Stip, and Skopje, with children among the victims. One suspect has been arrested, though details remain scarce.
Sky News understands that the government has vowed a full investigation into the tragedy, with Interior Minister Pance Toskovski calling it a “catastrophic failure” of safety measures. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed deep sorrow, labeling it a “dark day” for the nation and promising support for grieving families. The Pulse club, housed in a former warehouse, now faces scrutiny over its licensing and fire safety protocols.
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