(TheProudRepublic.com) – North Macedonia is experiencing its worst nightmare after a deadly nightclub inferno killed 59 people and injured 150 when pyrotechnics turned a fun night out into a death trap.
The devastating fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kochani was reportedly caused by unsafe indoor pyrotechnics during a hip-hop performance.
Investigators are uncovering evidence of corrupt safety practices and blocked emergency exits that turned the venue into a deadly trap for hundreds of young patrons.
The tragedy struck when sparks from pyrotechnic devices lit up flammable ceiling materials at the nightclub, which used to be a carpet warehouse.
Video evidence shows a band performing with flares that quickly set the ceiling ablaze, creating a nightmare scenario for nearly 500 people inside the venue.
Making matters worse, authorities discovered the club had only one functional exit. The back door was locked, which created a deadly bottleneck as panicked patrons rushed to escape.
The nightclub’s failure to provide adequate emergency exits directly played a part in the high death toll.
The fire caused the roof to partially collapse, trapping many inside. Firefighters struggled to retrieve bodies from the charred nightclub while emergency services transported victims to hospitals across the country.
Among the 59 dead were many young people. Victims ranged from 18 to 20 years old, and more than 20 injured and three killed were under 18.
The scene was one of absolute horror as parents gathered outside the nightclub searching for their children.
The heartbreak was evident as families learned the fate of their loved ones.
Devastated father Dragi Stojanov, whose only child died in the fire, captured the harrowing grief of parents.
“What am I supposed to do? One hundred and fifty souls. One hundred and fifty families have been devastated. What is left for me in life? I don’t need my life anymore. This was my only child,” he said.
Law enforcement has already detained 15 people for questioning, with suspicions of bribery and corruption linked to the fire.
This raises serious questions about possible payoffs to officials who may have overlooked safety violations that directly led to this tragedy.
The fire occurred during a popular hip-hop duo DNK concert. Only one band member made it out alive.
This tragedy ranks as the worst in recent memory for North Macedonia, prompting the government to declare seven days of national mourning while conducting an emergency investigation into the causes and potential negligence.
Pyrotechnics have been a common cause of deadly nightclub fires in the past, including the 2015 Colectiv club fire in Romania.
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed condolences to the affected families and called for urgent measures to support the injured.
The international community has responded. Several European leaders and neighboring countries offered assistance and sent condolences for what will be remembered as one of the region’s most devastating tragedies.
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