Fifty-nine people are reportedly dead after a devastating fire broke out at a nightclub hosting a concert in the city of Kocani, North Macedonia, according to the country’s official news agency, MIA, citing the Ministry of the Interior. The venue where the fire broke out is in the eastern part of North Macedonia, about 100 kilometers east of Skopje. It was hosting a concert attended by approximately 1,500 people, MIA reported.
Authorities are still working to determine the exact number of victims and injuries, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis expressed his condolences to his North Macedonian counterpart, Timčo Mucunski, over the tragic fire, conveying Greece’s readiness to provide any necessary assistance, including rescue teams and medical support.
According to MIA, the fire broke out at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kočani, a city of about 30,000 residents, during a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop group in North Macedonia.
Катастрофален и трагичен пожар се случи ноќеска околу 03.00 часот во Диско клубот Пулс во Кочани. Стравични сцени и драматична борба за спасување на повредени и преживеани се случуваше во раните утрински часови. pic.twitter.com/UvI9Ilz02s
— Македонски непокор (@MNepokor) March 16, 2025
Local news outlet SDK reported that the fire started around 3:00 a.m. local time (4:00 a.m. Greek time). The injured people were transported to hospitals in Kocani and Stip, a city located about 30 kilometers south.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, some media reports suggest that fireworks may have triggered the blaze.
North Macedonia: At least 50 people died in a fire in a disco in Kočani
Video: https://t.co/NfIJloWjBO pic.twitter.com/LwCR0I4w6i— Календар News (@KalendarNews) March 16, 2025