Pyrotechnics Gone Wrong: Deadly Fire Engulfs North Macedonia Club, Killing 59

A catastrophic fire erupted in a North Macedonia nightclub, claiming at least 59 lives and leaving roughly 150 people injured, with authorities pointing to pyrotechnics as the culprit behind the tragedy.

The blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday at the Pulse nightclub in Kochani, a town east of the capital, Skopje. Hundreds of revelers had packed the venue to enjoy a performance by the local hip-hop duo DNK when disaster struck. According to Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski, who spoke at a press conference later that day, the fire was sparked by pyrotechnic effects used during the show. “The pyrotechnics were meant to dazzle the crowd, but instead, sparks hit the ceiling—made of highly flammable material,” he explained. “Within moments, the flames engulfed the entire club, filling it with choking smoke.”

Footage from inside the nightclub captured the chilling moment: the band played on as pyrotechnic sparks shot upward, igniting the ceiling in a matter of seconds. Panic ensued as the crowd scrambled to escape. Marija Taseva, a 22-year-old attendee, shared her harrowing experience with Kanal 5, a local TV station. “I fell while trying to get out, and people just ran over me,” she recounted. “Everyone was desperate to survive. I still don’t know where my sister is—she’s not in any hospital we’ve checked.”

The aftermath was grim. State media outlet MIA, citing the health ministry, reported that at least 152 injured individuals were rushed to hospitals across the region. Vlatko Zahariev, director of Shtip’s hospital, noted that many victims suffered second-degree burns on their hands and faces. Emergency services worked tirelessly to transport the wounded, some of whom faced life-threatening conditions.

Police moved quickly, detaining the nightclub’s owner by Sunday morning, according to MIA. Justice Minister Igor Filkov vowed accountability, stating, “Everyone responsible for this disaster will face justice.” Authorities are also seeking four additional suspects linked to the incident.

Images of the Pulse nightclub revealed a devastated structure, its roof reduced to charred wreckage. Outside nearby hospitals, anguished friends and family gathered, clinging to hope amid the sorrow. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski took to X to express the nation’s grief. “This is a dark, heartbreaking day,” he wrote. “We’ve lost so many young souls, and the pain felt by their loved ones is beyond words.”

The tragedy drew condolences from leaders worldwide. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, European Council President, shared their sympathies online. Angela Aggeler, the U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia, posted on X, “My heart aches for those lost in this awful fire. The U.S. Embassy stands ready to help however we can.”

This devastating event ranks among the worst nightclub fires in recent memory. A decade ago, a similar pyrotechnic mishap in Bucharest, Romania, killed 64 people during a concert. In 2013, a blaze in Santa Maria, Brazil, claimed over 240 lives, also tied to indoor pyrotechnics. Each incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking in such celebrations.

As investigations unfold, North Macedonia mourns, grappling with a loss that has shaken the nation to its core.