A devastating fire at Club Pulse in Kocani, North Macedonia, claimed 59 lives and injured 155 others during the early hours of Sunday, March 16, 2025. The tragedy unfolded during a live performance by local band DNK when pyrotechnics ignited the nightclub's roof. Videos captured the moment flares onstage sent sparks to the ceiling, triggering chaos as attendees scrambled to escape. The single-storey building was overcrowded, with double its official capacity of 250 people and only one exit, leading to a deadly stampede. Survivors described harrowing scenes of panic, with some attempting to flee through barred windows. Among the victims were individuals as young as 16, while many of the injured suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, revealing that the nightclub had been operating illegally for over a year with falsified permits. Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed that arrest warrants were issued for four individuals, including the club owner and local officials suspected of corruption for allowing the venue to remain open. Fifteen people have been detained so far, with charges ranging from negligence to bribery. Health Minister Arben Taravari reported that 20 of the injured remain in critical condition, and patients were being treated in hospitals across North Macedonia and neighboring countries like Bulgaria and Serbia. The government has declared seven days of national mourning in response to what Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called an "irreparable loss."

Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of the disaster. Survivor Marija Taseva recounted falling down stairs as others trampled over her in their desperate attempt to escape. She sustained facial injuries but managed to survive. Tragically, some families are still searching for missing loved ones, with one father lamenting the loss of his only child. The nightclub's roof partially collapsed during the blaze, leaving behind charred debris and wooden beams as police cordoned off the site for evidence collection. Videos showed musicians urging attendees to evacuate amid thick smoke, but many were unable to reach safety due to overcrowding and structural inadequacies.

The fire has sparked outrage across North Macedonia, highlighting systemic issues of corruption and negligence in public safety enforcement. Officials revealed that pyrotechnic devices used during the concert were responsible for igniting the blaze. The tragedy has prompted calls for stricter regulations and accountability for those who allowed such hazardous conditions to persist. Volunteer organizations have stepped in to assist victims' families and provide support during this difficult time. Meanwhile, hospitals remain overwhelmed with burn victims and those suffering from smoke inhalation as authorities continue their investigation into one of North Macedonia’s deadliest disasters in recent history.