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North Macedonia appeals for calm as nightclub fire deaths trigger protests

Authorities in North Macedonia are appealing for calm as students plan fresh protests following the nightclub fire in the eastern town of Kocani that killed 59 people over the weekend
By KONSTANTIN TESTORIDES and ELDAR ERMIC – Associated Press
29 minutes ago

KOCANI, North Macedonia (AP) — Authorities in North Macedonia are appealing for calm as student groups called for fresh protests on Tuesday following the horrific nightclub fire that killed 59 people and injured more than 150 over the weekend.

The disaster, which occurred early on Sunday at Club Pulse in the eastern town of Kocani after pyrotechnics were used during a concert there, has sparked outrage over alleged corruption and safety violations. Demonstrations took place Monday in both Kocani and the capital, Skopje, with some turning violent — protesters in Kocani overturned a van and hurled rocks at a municipal building. "We must call once again for reason," Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said in an interview with private Sitel television late Monday. "We must allow the prosecuting authorities to do their job so that in the end we can finally normalize the state."

Investigations have so revealed that the club was operating at at least double its 250-person capacity without proper licensing. Official say there were numerous safety violations — no emergency exits, insufficient fire equipment, the use of flammable cladding and no sprinkler system. Many victims were trampled as panicked concertgoers rushed toward a single exit.

Neighboring Serbia and Bulgaria, which immediately offered assistance following the tragedy, are observing a day of national mourning Tuesday in solidarity with North Macedonia.

Medical specialists from the Czech Republic, Serbia, and Israel have arrived to support treatment efforts for the injured, Health Ministry official said. And the European Union is helping transport burn victims to nearby countries.

Around 50 patients are being treated in mostly neighboring and nearby countries, the majority of them with serious burns. The disaster has intensified scrutiny of corruption in North Macedonia, which the EU has previously identified as a major obstacle to the country's accession to the bloc. Authorities are investigating allegations that club owners bribed officials to bypass safety regulations.

The government has ordered nationwide inspections of all nightclubs and other entertainment venues.

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Testorides reported from Skopje, North Macedonia

People confront police near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

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People argue with policemen, outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

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People push a car on its side while protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

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People vandalize a vehicle outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

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People argue with policemen, outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Credit: AP

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People argue with policemen, outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

People push a car on its side while protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

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Protesters hold placards as they march during protest following a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

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Protesters hold placards during a protest following a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

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Residents gather in front of mayor's office during protest following a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

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A policeman runs behind people heading to the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

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People push a car on its side while protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

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People argue with policemen, outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

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A vehicle is overturned by people protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

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