Police have arrested 10 individuals following a deadly fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia that claimed the lives of at least 59 people, according to officials speaking with the BBC.
The fire broke out around 2:30 AM local time (1:30 AM GMT) on Sunday at the Pulse club in Kocani, where roughly 500 people were attending a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop duo.
Only one member of the band survived and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office. A total of 155 concertgoers were injured.
Biljana Arsovska stated that the authorities had issued short-term detentions for 10 suspects connected to the fire, including officials from ministries that had granted the venue its operating license.
Interior Minister Pance Toskovski confirmed on Sunday that the club did not have a valid license to operate, and an investigation is underway to determine whether bribery or corruption played a role in the fire.
The venue, located about 100 km (60 miles) east of Skopje, had been converted from a carpet warehouse into a nightclub and was described by local media as an “improvised nightclub.” Arsovska added that there was only “one efficient exit” available, with the back door locked and unusable.
Initial inspections revealed several “abnormalities” at the venue, including deficiencies in fire-extinguishing systems and lighting. Toskovski suggested that sparks from pyrotechnic devices ignited the highly flammable ceiling material, causing the fire to spread rapidly.
Footage from the scene shows the band performing when two flares were set off, followed by sparks catching fire on the ceiling. As the flames spread, some attendees tried to extinguish the fire, while others remained inside, seemingly unaware of the danger.
Marija Taseva, 20, recounted being caught in the stampede as people rushed for the single exit. She recalled being trampled before managing to escape. “I don’t know how, but somehow I managed to get out,” she said, later learning that her 25-year-old sister had died in the fire.
Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov reported that many of those affected were young people aged 18 to 20, with more than 20 injured and three fatalities under the age of 18.
Dr. Vladislav Gruev, a specialist at the University Clinic for Surgical Diseases, shared that many patients were being treated for severe burns, particularly to the head, neck, and upper torso.
Kocani’s hospital director noted that staff initially struggled to identify patients due to the lack of identification cards, with 18 individuals in critical condition.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the day as “difficult and very sad” for the country, mourning the loss of so many young lives.
In response, the government has declared seven days of national mourning and convened an emergency session to investigate the cause of the tragedy.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova expressed her shock, emphasizing that no business should operate without adhering to safety standards. She added that the most seriously injured are being transferred to specialist clinics in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for further treatment.
European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, expressed their condolences, with the EU offering solidarity to North Macedonia during this difficult time. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described the event as “a tragedy of immense magnitude” and voiced concerns that many victims might not survive their injuries.
