A fire at a packed nightclub in the town of Kocani has killed at least 51 people and left more than 100 injured, officials said on March 16. 

The authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of the morning during a concert at the Pulse Club, a popular venue in Kocani, around 100km east of North Macedonia’s capital Skopje.

Local media reported that as many as 1,500 people were attending a concert by ADN, a well-known hip-hop duo in North Macedonia.

Footage posted on social media showed flames engulfing the building as panicked clubgoers rushed to escape.

Interior Minister Pance Toskovski told reporters at a press conference on the morning of March 16 that preliminary findings suggested pyrotechnic devices used during the performance may have ignited the blaze. 

The authorities have made an arrest in connection with the incident, but no further details were provided.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expressed condolences to the victims’ families and vowed government support. "It is with deep sadness that I received the news of the terrible tragedy in Kocani. This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones, and friends is immeasurable," Mickoski said in a statement posted on X.

"In these moments of deep sorrow, our thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery, and the families of the deceased strength to endure this unimaginable loss. The government will do everything in its power to alleviate their pain and assist them in these most difficult moments."

He called on emergency services and local authorities to take urgent measures to help the injured and support affected families. "The government is fully mobilised and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy," he added.

Condolences have also come in from outside the country. “Deeply saddened about the tragic fire, which claimed too many young lives in Kočani. My condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. I wish a swift recovery to the injured,” wrote EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on X. “The EU shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia.”