Mourning and Outrage: North Macedonia Buries Victims of Tragic Nightclub Fire

In North Macedonia, funerals for the victims of the tragic nightclub fire held in Kocani have drawn thousands, highlighting a national outcry over safety and corruption. The incident, which claimed 59 lives, has led to protests and a crackdown on dangerous venues throughout the country.

Thousands of people gathered at cemeteries across North Macedonia on Thursday to mourn the victims of a devastating nightclub fire that killed 59 individuals on Sunday. The fire swept through the Pulse club in Kocani, injuring numerous others and raising serious concerns about safety regulations. Reports indicate that the club had been operating unlawfully, lacking crucial safety features such as sprinklers, and that the sole emergency exit was locked during the incident.

As part of a national day of mourning, funerals took place in various locations, with a particularly poignant procession occurring in Kocani, a town of fewer than 30,000 residents now gripped by sorrow after losing many of its young citizens. Mourners held portraits of their lost loved ones, with emotions running high as the community sought to come to terms with the tragedy. A service at the Orthodox Church accompanied the burial of the deceased, who were interred together in Kocani's cemetery.

In Skopje, about 1,000 attendees gathered to honor Andrej Gorgieski, a talented singer from the band DNK performing at the club when the fire ignited. While emotions were raw, so too was a growing anger directed at corrupt practices that allowed the Pulse nightclub to operate under dangerous conditions. Protests condemning corruption have erupted across North Macedonia in the days since the incident.

Tensions escalated in Kocani on Monday night when local residents vandalized a bar connected to the club's owner, and some clashed with law enforcement at the mayor's office. Authorities have responded to the public outcry with inspections of bars and nightclubs nationwide, seeking to uncover any more potential safety violations. Interior Minister Pance Toskovski stated that at the time of the blaze, the venue was massively overcrowded, with approximately 500 individuals inside despite only 250 tickets sold, suggesting possible bribery and corruption related to the establishment's operations.

In addition to the fatalities, over 160 individuals sustained injuries during the fire, with 45 of those classified as serious. Many victims have been transferred to hospitals in neighboring countries such as Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for advanced treatment. As the community continues its mourning, the push for accountability and safety reform in North Macedonia remains a pivotal concern.