The government of North Macedonia is expected to declare seven days of national mourning following a devastating tragedy in the eastern city of Kočani. The announcement is anticipated to be made during an emergency government session scheduled for 4:00 PM today.
At least 59 people lost their lives late last night when a massive fire broke out at a nightclub in Kočani. The incident has also left at least 152 others injured, many of whom have been transported from Kočani to specialized clinics in Shtip and the capital, Skopje.
Health officials report that 18 of the injured are currently in critical condition. Among them, three patients are being treated in the Pediatric Surgery Unit, seven at the City General Hospital, and three at the Old City Hospital.
Authorities have yet to confirm the official cause of the fire or how it spread. However, local media reports suggest that the blaze may have been triggered by pyrotechnic effects used during a live performance by the popular Macedonian band DNA. At the time of the incident, the nightclub was reportedly packed with teenagers and young adults enjoying the show.
Emergency response teams—including firefighters, ambulances, and police—arrived swiftly at the scene, working throughout the night to control the fire and assist victims.
As of now, there is no information indicating that any ethnic Albanians were among the victims of this tragic event.
Kočani, located in the eastern region of North Macedonia, is approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers) east of the capital, Skopje. According to the most recent census conducted in 2021, the city is home to around 24,600 residents.
The entire nation is mourning this unimaginable loss, and further updates are expected as investigations continue into one of the deadliest nightclub tragedies in the region’s recent history.
