A nation mourns: Outrage erupts after 59 dead in North Macedonia nightclub

North Macedonia mourned the loss of dozens of young lives following a devastating nightclub fire in the eastern town of Kocani. Among the victims were individuals as young as 16, prompting the nation to declare seven days of mourning. (Image credits: AP)

The fire broke out at Club Pulse during a concert by the popular rap group DNK, where a large crowd of young fans had gathered. Four band members—a singer, a guitarist, a drummer, and a backup singer—lost their lives in the blaze, while the group's other singer sustained injuries. (Image credits: AP)

The tragedy resulted in 59 fatalities and left over 150 people injured. Officials confirmed that the fire had been triggered by fireworks used on stage during the performance. (Image credits: AP)

State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski revealed that a preliminary inspection of the nightclub had uncovered multiple safety violations, including a lack of emergency exits, inadequate fire extinguishers, and restricted access to emergency vehicles. (Image credits: AP)

The nightclub owner had been taken into custody. Officials said that 10 individuals are in police detention for questioning in Kocani, which lies approximately 115 kilometers east of the capital, Skopje. (Image credits: AP)

Interior minister Panche Toshkovski further disclosed that the club had been operating without a valid license. Additionally, the venue had exceeded its official capacity of 250, with at least twice the permitted number of people inside at the time of the fire. (Image credits: AP)

Dragi Stojanov, grieving for his son Tomche Stojanov—one of the fire’s victims—was seen weeping while holding a photograph of him during a vigil. (Image credits: AP)

Several neighboring countries, including Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey, stepped in to provide medical assistance, accepting around 50 patients with severe injuries. Multiple nations dispatched medical teams to support North Macedonia. (Image credits: AP)