Following a tragic nightclub fire in Kocani, North Macedonia, the community is mourning and demanding justice. Protesters are voicing their outrage over corruption and inadequate safety regulations, as investigations unfold.
Nationwide Outcry Follows Tragic Nightclub Blaze in North Macedonia
Nationwide Outcry Follows Tragic Nightclub Blaze in North Macedonia
Protests erupt in Kocani as citizens demand accountability and reform after a devastating fire claims 59 lives, primarily teenagers.
Amid a national week of mourning, the town of Kocani in North Macedonia is gripped by widespread protests demanding justice and accountability after a catastrophic nightclub fire resulted in the loss of 59 lives, including many young victims.
"Nobody should die like that – nobody," one young protester lamented as emotions ran high in the wake of such an unimaginable tragedy. The Pulse nightclub was bustling with spectators enjoying a performance by the popular hip-hop group DNK when a spark from flares ignited a fire that rapidly engulfed the venue.
Authorities have taken serious action, detaining around 20 individuals for questioning, including the nightclub owner and several former officials, as suspicions of corruption and negligence surface. Locals express a growing belief that corrupt practices permitted the nightclub to operate despite critical safety deficiencies.
Families of those who remain unaccounted for have been rushing to hospitals, submitting DNA samples for identification as the search continues. Kocani, a town of around 25,000 residents situated approximately 100km from Skopje, is struggling to cope with the tragedy. More than 160 individuals sustained injuries, with 45 in grave condition, necessitating airlifts to hospitals across neighboring countries for specialized care.
At the protest, the uncle of one victim, who was just 19 years old, voiced the community’s anger: "When there was a war here, it wasn't as bad as that. So many young people have died." The crowd, initially silent, soon rallied in unity, chanting "we are asking for justice!"
As mourners lit candles in shared sorrow, some young protesters reacted furiously towards a bar believed to be affiliated with the club's owner, breaking windows and vandalizing the establishment.
Interior Minister Pance Toskovski noted troubling signs of possible bribery related to the incident, outlining that the club had a capacity of just 250 but was operating with approximately 500 patrons. The building—formerly a carpet warehouse—had serious safety shortcomings, with a single emergency exit locked during the fire, and only two fire extinguishers present, along with no alarm systems or sprinklers.
In a call to action, civic groups are prompting citizens across North Macedonia to gather in protest on Tuesday, ensuring the tragedy is an impetus for change and accountability within the nation's safety regulations and governance.
