At least 59 people have lost their lives, and over 155 others sustained injuries after a devastating fire broke out at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia. The fire erupted around 02:30 local time (01:30 GMT) while approximately 1,500 people were attending a concert by DNK, a well-known hip-hop duo.

Videos circulating on social media show the roof of the club engulfed in flames as panic ensued among attendees. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the incident as a “difficult and very sad day” for the nation, mourning the loss of many young lives.

Cause of the fire

According to Interior Minister Pance Toskovski, preliminary reports suggest that the fire was ignited by sparks from pyrotechnic devices used during the performance. The sparks reportedly reached the ceiling, which was composed of highly flammable material, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

Footage from inside the venue shows two flares being set off, followed by flames catching onto the ceiling. Many concertgoers initially appeared to watch the fire rather than evacuate immediately.

Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of people scrambling to escape. Marija Taseva, a 20-year-old survivor, recounted to Channel 5 TV how she was caught in a stampede. She was trampled before managing to make her way out, while her family continued searching for her missing 25-year-old sister, who had not been located in any local hospital.

Mass casualties and overwhelmed hospitals

Kocani’s hospital initially received around 90 patients suffering from severe burns, with 18 remaining in critical condition, according to the health minister. Hospital director Kristina Serafimova stated that identifying victims had been challenging due to many not carrying ID cards. The deceased were reported to be between the ages of 14 and 24.

Authorities have arrested one individual in connection with the incident, though further details have not yet been disclosed.

In a statement, the prime minister assured that the government is “fully mobilised” to address the consequences of the disaster and determine its exact causes.

A devastating fire at a nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, has claimed the lives of at least 51 people and left over 100 injured, according to the country’s interior minister. The incident occurred during a concert attended by more than 1,000 people, primarily young attendees, at the “Pulse” nightclub.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) on Sunday, as the popular hip-hop duo DNK was performing. The nightclub, located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of the capital, Skopje, was packed with around 1,500 people at the time of the tragedy.

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, expressed his grief over the incident, calling it a “difficult and very sad day” for the nation. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones, and friends is immeasurable. The people and the government will do everything in their power to at least slightly alleviate their pain and help them in these most difficult moments.”

The injured were rushed to hospitals in Kocani and Stip, a town located about 30 kilometers south of Kocani. Local media reports suggest that the fire may have been caused by the use of pyrotechnic devices during the concert, though an official investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the country, with authorities and emergency services working tirelessly to provide support to the victims and their families. The incident highlights the need for stricter safety regulations and enforcement in public venues to prevent such disasters in the future.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a comprehensive cleanup initiative for Washington D.C., aiming to ensure the nation’s capital reflects its global stature. Speaking at the Department of Justice, Trump emphasized his desire to present a pristine and crime-free city to visiting world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We’re cleaning up our city. We’re cleaning up this great capital, and we’re not going to have crime, and we’re not going to stand for crime. We’re going to take the graffiti down, and we’re already taking the tents down. We’re working with the administration to make this happen,” Trump stated.

The President highlighted the presence of tents and graffiti near federal buildings, particularly opposite the State Department, as issues that needed immediate attention. He praised Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for her efforts in addressing these concerns. “We said there are tents galore right opposite the State Department. They have to come down. And they took them down right away. So far, so good. We want to have a capital that can be the talk of the world,” Trump remarked.

Trump’s comments came in the context of recent visits by several world leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The President expressed his determination to ensure that foreign dignitaries are greeted by a city that reflects the grandeur and safety befitting the U.S. capital.

“When Prime Minister Modi of India, the President of France, and all of these people… the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, they all came to see me over the last week and a half. I had the route run. I didn’t want them to see tents. I didn’t want them to see graffiti. I didn’t want them to see broken barriers or potholes in the roads. We had it looking beautiful,” Trump said.

He further outlined his vision for a safer and cleaner Washington D.C., vowing to transform it into a crime-free city. “We’re going to do that for the city, and we’re going to have a crime-free capital. When people come here, they’re not going to be mugged or shot or raped. They’re going to have a crime-free capital. It’s going to be cleaner, better, and safer than it ever was, and it’s not going to take us too long,” he asserted.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the White House on February 13 marked the fourth meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s inauguration for his second term in January 2025. In less than a month, Trump has hosted several high-profile leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.