North Macedonia has declared seven days of national mourning following a devastating fire at a nightclub in Skopje early Sunday, March 16, leaving at least 59 people dead and 155 injured. Meanwhile, several burn victims from the fire have been transferred to Greek hospitals.
The tragedy unfolded rapidly during a concert when sparks from pyrotechnics set the venue’s ceiling ablaze within seconds. Local authorities confirmed the venue lacked the necessary operating permits and was not suitable for such events. North Macedonia’s Interior Minister, Pantse Toskovski, openly linked the club’s lack of permits to a broader corruption investigation.
People light candles, following a fire resulting in casualties, in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, March 16, 2025. REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski
Five severely injured victims were transferred for treatment to hospitals in Thessaloniki, Greece. Three of them are currently in intensive care at Papanikolaou Hospital, suffering from serious burns, while another two victims were admitted late Sunday evening to Thessaloniki’s 424 Military Hospital. In total, five patients are undergoing treatment in Greece, three of whom remain in critical condition in intensive care units.
North Macedonian authorities have already detained 10 suspects related to the incident, with investigations focusing heavily on allegations of corruption. Among the detainees are high-profile figures, including the son of the club’s owner, the club management company’s director, security personnel, and members of DNK, a popular local hip-hop group performing at the event.
