North Macedonia Nightclub Fire Claims 59 Lives, Sparks National Mourning

A blaze at a packed nightclub in Kočani, likely caused by pyrotechnics, has led to arrests and investigations into safety violations.

The fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, killed 59 people and injured over 150, many critically, in one of the country's worst tragedies in decades.
Initial investigations suggest the fire was caused by sparks from pyrotechnic devices igniting flammable ceiling material during a hip-hop concert with approximately 1,500 attendees.
Authorities confirmed the venue was operating without a valid license, and 20 individuals, including government officials and the nightclub manager, have been detained for questioning.
Victims include teenagers and young adults, with many suffering severe burns or carbon monoxide poisoning; some have been transferred to hospitals in neighboring countries for specialized care.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has declared seven days of national mourning and pledged to hold those responsible accountable, while neighboring countries and world leaders have extended condolences.