More than 1500 young people had a great time dancing and partying at Pulse on Saturday night, when Sunday morning a fire interrupted the popular hip-hop duo DNK. The singer shouted at 2.35 am: Leave, leave, leave now!
Fifty-nine people are confirmed dead and more than 152 people had been admitted to hospitals in Kocani, Stip and Skopje and are fighting for their lives, most with severe and life-threatening burns.
According to Macedonian interior minister, Panče Toškovski, the fire was caused by pyrotechnics.
Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating fireworks, safety matches, oxygen candles, explosive bolts and other fasteners, parts of automotive airbags, and Hand Flares. Hand flares are one of the most commonly used distress signals on lifeboats, Parachute Rocket Flares. Parachute rocket flares are used to send distress signals over long distances. It’s also used for light smoke signals.
The fires were the deadliest nightclub fire in Macedonian history and the deadliest nightclub fire since the Colectiv nightclub fire in 2015.
Arrest warrants have been issued after a nightclub fire.
Condolences are pouring in from countries around Europe.
The Dutch ministry of foreign affairs posted: We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire in a nightclub in North Macedonia. Our heartfelt condolences to the people of North Macedonia for the many young lives lost. Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish those injured a swift recovery.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania wrote: It is with deep sorrow that we heard about the tragedy in Kočani, North Macedonia, with dozen of lives lost and injured at a music concert. Heartbroken for the families and injured ones. Our deepest condolences for the people of North Macedonia in this moment of grief.
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic offered to send helicopters, ambulances, and medical teams, as well as admit many of the wounded at Serbian hospitals. Vucic also plans to declare March 18 a day of mourning over the tragedy.
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov: Extended condolences for the “huge human tragedy” and offered to deploy the country’s air force to transport some of the injured for treatment in Bulgaria.
Out of those hospitalised, 18 are in critical condition, according to the Health Ministry.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajic Said he is “speechless” over the “tragedy,” and Montenegro will declare March 17 a day of mourning.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Sent “heartfelt condolences to the people of North Macedonia” and said Greece is ready to assist.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama: Said he’s at a “loss of words” over the tragedy and also expressed readiness “to provide any assistance that may be needed”.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti: Expressed condolences and wished a “swift and full recovery to those injured”.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Wished those injured “a speedy recovery” and said “Ukraine mourns alongside our Macedonian friends on this sad day”.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock Called the fire “shocking” and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas: Said the EU “shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia”.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has held a phone conversation with his North Macedonian counterpart, Timcho Mucunski, extending his condolences for the loss of life caused by the nightclub fire in Kocani.
In a statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry said Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s readiness “to provide any necessary assistance” to the neighbouring country, including rescue teams and medical support.
According to Greek media reports, North Macedonian authorities have requested that some injured people be transferred to hospitals in Thessaloniki, a city in northern Greece and the country’s second largest.
