A survivor of a deadly nightclub fire in North Macedonia has revealed how she pushed her way through charred bodies, while her sister narrowly avoided being trampled as they fled from the inferno.
At least 59 young partygoers were killed and another 155 injured – including 22 in critical condition – after the blaze erupted at the Pulse club in Kocani, a town 100 kilometres east of the capital Skopje, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Interior Minister Pance Toshkovski said that arrest warrants have been issued in connection with the inferno, which is thought to have started at around 2.35am.
Police confirmed one man – believed to be the owner of the club – has been arrested so far, state news agency Mia reported.
The director of the Kocani General Hospital, where many fire victims were initially taken, said that most of the injured are aged 14 to 24. Many suffered from burns and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, including firefighters from surrounding towns, where more than 1,000 concertgoers had gathered at the venue for a performance by hip-hop duo DNK at midnight.
Social media footage shows huge flames engulfing the nightclub, with large plumes of smoke billowing into the air.
Clips from inside the venue show the use of two pyrotechnics during the performance, known as stage jets – a type of indoor fireworks used during concerts.
A survivor of a deadly fire at the Pulse club in North Macedonia has revealed how she pushed her way through charred bodies, while her sister narrowly avoided being trampled
At least 59 young partygoers were killed and another 155 injured in the fatal blaze
The nightclub, following a fire resulting in casualties, in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia
Very shortly after their deployment flames are clearly visible above the band, which quickly spread.
As the flames began to engulf the venue, hundreds frantically ran towards the exits.
One survivor told Sky News: ‘The fire broke out suddenly and everyone started running for the exit.
‘There were charred bodies. I don’t know…everyone is stressed.’
She added that her sister had fallen as she tried to escape.
The woman said: ‘She is injured. Running outside she fell and people stomped over her.’
A father of one of the victims said he witnessed terrible scenes, including many who were ‘burnt beyond recognition’.
Only 39 of those who died have so far been identified, interior minister Toshkovski said.
On Sunday night, crowds gathered for a candlelight vigil to those who lost their lives in the tragedy
People wait in lines to light candles in memory of the victims, while also praying for the scores of partygoers who have been injured
People comfort one another in the aftermath of the tragedy, which claimed at least 59 lives
Dragi Stojanov’s son, Tomce, 21, tragically lost his life in the blazing inferno.
He told reporters: ‘It’s my only child and he died. What is left for me in life? I don’t need my life anymore.’
Another of the victims was footballer Andrej Lazarov, 25, who is said to have died after heroically trying to help others to safety.
Lazarov played for Macedonian First Football League club FC Shkupi.
Today his club paid tribute and said: ‘With deep sorrow, we announce that our footballer Andrej Lazarov was among the victims of the tragic fire in Kočani. As the heroic person he was, Lazarov lost his life while trying to help others escape the flames.
‘During his courageous act, he was overcome by smoke. His bravery and humanity in those final moments will always be remembered.
‘This is an immense loss for our club, his teammates, and the football community. Words cannot express the pain we feel during this tragedy.’
Lazarov was a former youth international for Macedonia and spent time playing in Croatia for just over a year before joining Shkupi in September.
Video from inside the venue shows the use of pyrotechnics, with flames licking the ceiling (top left of shot) shortly after their deployment
Minister of the interior Pance Toskovski said the fire was probably caused by sparks from the pyrotechnics hitting the ceiling, which was made of a highly flammable material.
He added: ‘At the moment of activating the so-called sprinklers, the sparks caught the ceiling that was made of easily flammable material after which for a very short period of time the fire spread across the whole discotheque, creating a thick smoke.’
Footage verified by the BBC also shows people inside the club trying to extinguish the flames on the ceiling, with the crowd milling around unsure how to proceed.
According to witnesses, several people were subsequently crushed to death during a ‘stampede’, Skopje-based radio station Lider reported.
The wounded were transported to the local hospital in the town and to facilities in the town of Stip, 30 kilometres to the south, while helicopters ferried some of the injured to hospitals in the capital Skopje.
The director of the Kocani hospital, Kristina Serafimova, said 30 people were being treated for injuries at the hospital while another 60 were being transferred to another health facility, news site Klix Vijesti reported.
Health minister Arben Taravari told reporters that at least 118 people were taken to hospital with a range of burns, The Sun reported.
He said: ‘All our capabilities have been put to use, in a maximum effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy.’
A map showing the location of Kocani, the site of the nightclub fire, which is around 100 kilometres east of the North Macedonian capital Skopje
As the performance unfolds, a small patch of flames become visible on the venue’s ceiling
Flames rapidly spread across the ceiling of the nightclub as terrified concertgoers watch on
Flames surge under the roof of the Pulse nightclub, where around 1,500 concertgoers had gathered to watch a performance by hip-hop duo DNK
Emergency services rushed to the scene, including firefighters from surrounding towns, with the local hospital in Kocani reporting overcapacity
Members of the emergency services worked around the clock to remove injured people from the venue
DNK, a hip-hop duo popular in North Macedonia, were playing to more than 1,000 fans at Club Pulse when the fire broke out
DNK, a hip-hop duo popular in North Macedonia, were playing to more than 1,000 fans at Club Pulse when the fire broke out
Emergency responders operate outside the Pulse nightclub in the town of Kocani, as a police cordon stretches across the road
The US ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler posted on X: ‘My heart breaks this morning for the many victims in last night’s fire at a nightclub in Kochani’
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, called it a ‘difficult and very sad day’ and asked for unity and support for the families of the victims and the injured while the government determines the cause of the fire.
In a post on Facebook, he said: ‘With deep sorrow I received the news of the terrible tragedy in Kochani.
‘This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.
‘In these moments of deep sorrow, our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery, and to the families of the deceased – strength to bear this unimaginable loss.
‘The people and the government will do everything in their power to alleviate their pain a little and help them through these most difficult moments.’
Lider also reported that the Ministry of the Interior is questioning anyone connected to the concert.
The UK ambassador to North Macedonia Matthew Lawson said on X: ‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire in Kochani that claimed the lives of 51 people, many of whom were young.
‘Our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this immense loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.’
Investigators, one in a face mask and the other in a hard helmet, stand outside Club Pulse in Kocani, North Macedonia after the fire
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, asked for unity and support for the families of the victims and the injured while the government determines the cause of the fire
An exterior view of the club after the fire, with a huge hole visible in the centre of the roof where the fire damage was at its most severe
People wait in front of a hospital in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje on Sunday where a number of those injured in the fire were airlifted by helicopter
UK ambassador to North Macedonia Matthew Lawson posted that he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the fire
Meanwhile the US ambassador to North Macedonia Angela Aggeler posted on X: ‘My heart breaks this morning for the many victims in last night’s fire at a nightclub in Kochani.
‘Our deepest condolences go to the victims and their loved ones at this awful time, and wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.
‘The loss of so many young lives in one community is a terrible tragedy. I have offered any assistance and the full resources of the U.S. Embassy to the Prime Minister, as well as our prayers for all those who suffer today.’
In September 2021, a major fire killed 14 people at a unit for Covid-19 patients in Tetovo in the northwest of North Macedonia.
