51 dead in North Macedonia nightclub fire, over 100 injured

By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-16 10:11:31 | Updated at 2025-03-17 03:39:46 17 hours ago

Fifty-one people were killed and more than 100 injured when a fire broke out in a nightclub in the early hours of Sunday in the North Macedonian town of Kocani, Interior Minister Pance Toskovski said.

The fire was caused by “pyrotechnic devices” used during a concert, Toskovski said.

“Sparks caused fire … and fire spread through the discotheque,” he said.

Toshkovski said police have arrested one man, but did not provide details on his involvement.

A video from the event, verified by Reuters, shows a band playing on stage flanked by two flares firing white sparks into the air. The sparks set the ceiling alight above the band, who appear to step away as the video cuts.

 Social media video screengrab via Reuters

Fire spreads on the roof during a performance at a nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, in the early hours of Sunday. Photo: Social media video screengrab via Reuters

Firefighters doused the charred and smoking entrance to the club, named ‘Pulse’, TV footage from a local broadcaster showed.

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