At least 50 killed after fire breaks out at nightclub in North Macedonia

A massive fire that broke out early Sunday (March 16, 2025) in a nightclub in North Macedonia’s eastern town of Kocani has killed 51 people and injured about 100 more, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told a press conference.

The blaze began around 2:35 a.m. during a concert by a local pop group, according to Mr. Toshkovski. He said the young clubgoers used pyrotechnics that caused the roof to catch fire. Videos showed chaos inside the night club, with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible.

“This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable,” North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski. wrote on X.