A deadly fire at Club Pulse in North Macedonia has claimed the lives of 59 people and left over 155 injured. The tragedy unfolded during a concert by the band DNK, when sparks from the band's upward-facing flares ignited a small portion of the ceiling. The fire quickly spread throughout the overcrowded nightclub, which was operating without a proper license. The incident has prompted the government to declare seven days of national mourning and initiate a large-scale inspection of all nightclubs and cabarets across the country to ensure safety measures are being upheld.
Club Pulse, with a maximum capacity of 250, was hosting more than twice that number of attendees at the time of the fire. A preliminary inspection revealed that the nightclub was functioning without the necessary licensing, raising concerns about regulatory oversight and enforcement. Video footage from the event captured the moment when sparks from DNK's pyrotechnics set off the blaze, leading to chaos and a desperate attempt by patrons to escape.
“We even tried to get out through the bathroom, only to find bars [on the windows],” said Marija Taseva, one of the survivors.
Tragically, only one member of the band DNK survived the disaster and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital. The aftermath of the blaze has left 20 individuals in critical condition due to severe burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries sustained during a stampede as people rushed to exit the venue.
In response to the catastrophe, North Macedonia's government has not only declared a period of national mourning but has also ordered comprehensive inspections of entertainment venues nationwide. This measure aims to verify that safety protocols are being strictly followed, as authorities seek to prevent future incidents of this nature.
“We have grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption in this case,” stated Panche Toshkovski, highlighting potential malpractices in regulatory compliance.