Fifteen individuals arrested in connection with deadly North Macedonia nightclub fire

A devastating fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, has resulted in the deaths of at least 59 individuals, with authorities confirming that 15 people have been detained in connection with the incident.

The blaze erupted around 2:30 AM on Sunday during a concert by the popular hip-hop duo DNK, attracting around 500 attendees.

In the aftermath, only one member of DNK survived and is currently receiving medical treatment, according to a spokesman for the public prosecutor's office. The fire left a total of 155 people injured, highlighting the scale of the tragedy.

Interior Minister Pance Toskovski stated that the detained individuals will face questioning as there are "grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption" linked to the fire. He revealed that the nightclub lacked the necessary legal license to operate.

Local media have referred to the venue as an "improvised nightclub," noting that it was previously a carpet warehouse. Biljana Arsovska, a spokesperson for the public prosecutor's office, reported that the building had only "one efficient exit," and the back door was locked, contributing to the chaos as people attempted to flee.

Initial inspections conducted on-site revealed several "abnormalities" within the venue. "There are deficiencies in the fire-extinguishing system and the lighting system," Arsovska said. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was ignited by sparks from pyrotechnic devices that struck the ceiling, which was made of highly flammable materials.

Footage from the scene shows the band performing when two flares were set off, igniting sparks that quickly spread. Verified videos captured patrons attempting to extinguish the flames while many remained unaware of the danger, resulting in panic as people rushed toward the single exit.

Survivor Marija Taseva, 20, recounted the harrowing experience to Channel 5 TV, describing how she was caught in a crowd surge while trying to escape. "I don't know how, but somehow I managed to get out," she told Reuters, reflecting on the loss of her sister in the tragedy. "I was saved and she wasn't."

Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov reported that most of the victims were young people aged 18 to 20, with officials indicating that more than 20 of the injured and three of the deceased were under 18. "The situation is brutal, chaotic; the stories are very sad, and unfortunately many young lives are lost," Saidov added.

Dr. Vladislav Gruev, a reconstructive and plastic surgeon, noted that many patients treated at his hospital suffered extensive burns. "They have second and third-degree burns in the head, neck, and upper torso," he explained.

The director of Kocani's hospital mentioned that staff faced challenges identifying patients due to a lack of identification cards, with 18 patients reported in critical condition.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed his sorrow, calling it a "difficult and very sad day" for North Macedonia, mourning the loss of many young lives. The government has declared seven days of national mourning and is convening an emergency session to investigate the incident.

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova expressed her shock, stating, "Your immense pain is mine too." She emphasized the need for businesses to adhere to standards and rules to prevent future tragedies, declaring that the most severely injured individuals would be transferred to specialist clinics in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey.