North Macedonia: Arrests Made After Deadly Nightclub Fire Claims 59 Lives

An unimaginable tragedy has struck North Macedonia as a devastating fire erupted in a nightclub, claiming the lives of 59 young people aged between 16 and 21. The horrific incident occurred on Sunday evening (March 16, 2025) at a club in the Kocani region. Despite it being over 24 hours since the blaze started, the atmosphere in the area remains tragic. Many families are still without news about their children’s fate, intensifying the somber mood. A seven-day national mourning period has been declared in the country. Out of the 59 victims, only 35 have been identified so far. Among the deceased are a member of the DNK band, an anti-drug police officer who was on duty during the event, and 25-year-old footballer Andrei Lazarov from the Shkupi team. Authorities have arrested at least 20 individuals, including employees from the Ministry of Economy, as part of an investigation into possible corruption surrounding the club’s illegal operating license. Greece has stepped in to offer assistance, transferring several severely injured victims to hospitals for treatment. The fire began when fireworks used during a performance by the popular hip-hop band DNK ignited the roof of the club, causing panic among attendees. Images of the devastated nightclub show extensive damage, with much of the roof collapsed and thick smoke engulfing the premises. This tragedy is one of the worst in North Macedonia’s history, not only due to the number of casualties but also because most victims were young adults. Five prosecutors are leading the corruption investigation, while families of the victims demand justice for their lost loved ones.