(TheConservativeTimes.org) – What should have been a fun night out turned into a massive tragedy when 59 people were killed in a deadly nightclub fire.
The incident took place in North Macedonia after a single locked exit and pyrotechnic disaster turned a popular venue into a death trap.
The Pulse nightclub in Kochani had only one working exit when a fire broke out, causing a deadly crush as 500 panicked patrons rushed to escape.
Government officials have detained 15 people amid suspicions of bribery and corruption concerning the club’s safety violations.
The catastrophic blaze started when sparks from pyrotechnic devices used during a performance by hip-hop duo DNK set flammable ceiling materials on fire.
Video evidence shows the performers using flares that quickly set the ceiling ablaze. Flames spread quickly through the converted carpet warehouse building.
Many victims were teenagers and young adults. Authorities confirmed that more than 20 of the injured and three of the dead were under 18 years old.
The tragedy has shattered hundreds of families in the small eastern Macedonian town located about 60 miles from the capital, Skopje.
First responders encountered horrific scenes as they struggled to retrieve bodies from the burnt-down nightclub.
Over 150 people suffered injuries in the blaze and subsequent panic. 27 victims suffered severe burns and were rushed to hospitals in Skopje, while 23 others received treatment at a nearby clinical center.
The chaotic evacuation turned deadly because the venue reportedly had its back door locked, creating a fatal bottleneck at the single functioning exit.
This critical safety violation raises serious questions about regulatory enforcement and possible corruption in the licensing of entertainment venues.
“What am I supposed to do? One hundred and fifty souls. One hundred and fifty families have been devastated. What is left for me in life? I don’t need my life anymore. This was my only child,” said Dragi Stojanov, the father of a victim.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski declared seven days of national mourning while launching an emergency investigation into the disaster.
Authorities are examining whether venue owners bypassed safety regulations through bribery, allowing them to operate without proper emergency exits or fire suppression systems.
This incident has become North Macedonia’s worst tragedy in recent memory, devastating the community of approximately 30,000 residents.
Health Minister Arben Taravari acknowledged offers of medical assistance from neighboring countries as hospitals across the nation work to treat the wounded.
The fire’s horrific toll has prompted an outpouring of condolences from European leaders, with some offering emergency support and medical expertise.
This catastrophe joins a tragic pattern of deadly nightclub fires caused by pyrotechnics, recalling Romania’s 2015 Colectiv club fire that killed 64 people.
🔥BREAKING-🇲🇰DEATH TOLL IN NORTH MACEDONIA NIGHTCLUB FIRE RISES TO 59—PYROTECHNICS BLAMED
A devastating fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kochani, North Macedonia, has killed 59 people and left over 150 injured, after pyrotechnics ignited flammable ceiling material during a… pic.twitter.com/hbIqyT4J45
— MOHAMMAD AHSAN🎗️ (@MOHAMMAD_AARSH) March 16, 2025
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