Tragic Fire at North Macedonia Nightclub Claims Lives
A catastrophic fire broke out in the Pulse Club, located in the eastern town of Kočani, North Macedonia, on March 16 at approximately 2:35 AM local time. Reports from the BBC indicate that the venue was hosting a performance by DNK, a well-known hip-hop duo, drawing a crowd of around 500 attendees. As per statements from Interior Minister Pance Toskovski, the inferno was reportedly ignited by sparks from pyrotechnic devices used during the show.
Casualties and Critical Injuries
According to ABC News, the tragedy resulted in the death of 59 individuals, all of whom were between the ages of 18 and 23, with 155 others sustaining injuries. Disturbingly, 27 victims remain in critical condition, with some requiring advanced medical attention and being transferred to hospitals in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Investigations and Arrests
In the wake of the disaster, CNN reports that authorities have detained more than 20 individuals on suspicion of culpability, including 15 arrests linked to the incident. Among the detainees are the son of the club owner, officials from the government, and several members of the band DNK. This highlights the escalating scrutiny surrounding safety measures and potential negligence related to the event.
Tragic Loss Within the Music Community
A heartbreaking element of the incident emerges from reports by Mia.MK, revealing that several members of DNK perished in the fire. Lead singer Andrej Gjorgieski, along with photographer Aleksandar Efremov, backing singer Sara Projkovska, drummer Gjorgji Gjorgiev, and keyboard player Filip Stevanovski, tragically lost their lives during the chaotic event.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Chaos
Eyewitness testimonies from victims provide harrowing accounts of the incident. A young survivor reported to The Guardian that the venue was overcrowded, leading to panic as the fire broke out. The club’s single entry and exit point created a fatal bottleneck:
“The fire started around 2:30 AM. The sparklers that were on stage ignited the styrofoam on the ceiling. I heard an explosion, and the roof collapsed. We all rushed to get out – we all ran towards one door that was for both entry and exit.”
Marija Taseva, a 22-year-old attendee, recounted her traumatic experience, revealing that she managed to escape while her sister remained trapped. Her emotional statement to Reuters conveyed the horrifying reality of the situation:
“I don’t know how, but I ended up on the ground. I couldn’t get up, and at that moment, people started stomping on me. I don’t know how, but I somehow managed to get out. I’m fine now, but there are many dead. It’s terrible. My sister died. I was saved, and she wasn’t.”
Government Response and National Mourning
In the aftermath, North Macedonia’s President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized the need for courage among the grieving young people:
“It’s hard to believe how this happened. We must give these young people courage to continue.”
Branko Gerovski, a prominent journalist in Skopje, remarked on the profound impact of the tragedy, highlighting that nightclubs are popular gathering places for youth:
“In a country as small as ours, and with the death toll likely to rise, the impact has been huge. We haven’t seen anything like this since the devastating air crashes in Macedonia in 1993. Everyone feels very emotional. They can relate to this because everyone’s kids go to nightclubs.”
In a show of solidarity, North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski declared a week of national mourning, honoring the victims of this heartbreaking incident.
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