#BREAKING: Tragic Nightclub Fire in North Macedonia Leaves 51 Dead, Over 100 Injured

A devastating fire tore through a nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, early Sunday, claiming 51 lives and injuring around 100 others. The blaze, which erupted at 2:35 a.m. during a concert by a local pop group, was triggered by pyrotechnics that set the roof ablaze, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski announced at a press conference. Social media videos captured the ensuing panic as flames engulfed the venue.

The disaster struck the Pulse nightclub, a popular spot in the southern town, leaving families frantic for news outside hospitals and municipal offices. Toshkovski confirmed one arrest—linked to the event’s organization—though specifics remain undisclosed as police investigate. The injured, suffering burns and smoke inhalation, are being treated across Kocani and nearby facilities.

With a capacity of 1,500, the club was crowded with young revelers, amplifying the tragedy’s scale. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski visited the site, where rescue efforts concluded amid smoldering ruins. This marks one of North Macedonia’s deadliest incidents, prompting urgent questions about safety regulations and pyrotechnic use.