Violent protests erupted in Kocani, North Macedonia, on March 17 after a nightclub fire claimed the lives of 59 people, with citizens demanding accountability for the disaster.

North Macedonia is in mourning following the catastrophic fire that broke out in the early hours of March 16 at an improvised nightclub in the eastern city of Kocani. Most of those killed were young concertgoers. A further 162 people injured, among whom 45 are in serious condition and have been transported abroad for medical treatment. The government has declared a week-long period of mourning. 

Demonstrators gathered in the small city on March 17, throwing eggs at the municipal building and chanting for justice. Others stormed a café owned by the nightclub’s proprietor, destroying property in a show of anger and frustration.

Corruption under scrutiny

The blaze erupted during a concert by a popular hip hop group, DNK, with around 500 people inside the venue, despite only 250 tickets having been sold. Firefighters managed to localise the fire at 4:40 am, but the damage had already been done.

The nightclub was operating without even minimal safety standards, a fact that has sparked outrage among Macedonian citizens and authorities. Investigations have revealed that the facility lacked a valid operating permit, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy. During an inspection, the club had submitted a forged permit.

Interior Minister Pance Toskovski confirmed a series of severe irregularities, including the nightclub’s operation in an unsuitable building, the absence of emergency exit doors, the illegal use of pyrotechnics and an insufficient number of fire extinguishers. Furthermore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had not been informed of the event, which was therefore held illegally.

“The system is rotten. [North] Macedonia has no system — corruption and crime have destroyed it. We will do everything necessary to normalise the country,” Toskovski said at the news conference on March 17.

“The system is corrupt to a level that has created a catastrophic state in the functioning of institutions,” Toskovski added.

The minister also vowed to launch an intense fight against corruption, stressing that all those found responsible, regardless of political or other affiliations, would be held accountable. He further announced that checks would be conducted within the Ministry of Internal Affairs itself. Nine prosecutors are working on the case.

PM Mickoski pledges battle against corruption

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the tragedy as a 'mass murder' that occurred due to corruption.

“This is an administrative mafia that we will fight against,” Mickoski stated, adding that in the nine months since his government took office, they have been actively combating all forms of crime and corruption.

Mickoski revealed that only 12 licences for nightclub operations were issued last year, yet an unknown number continue to function across the country. He vowed that all illegal establishments would be shut down.

He also shifted blame to the previous government of the Social Democrats and ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), as well as all past administrations, while promising a rigorous crackdown on all types of crime and corruption.

While taking moral responsibility for the tragedy, Mickoski stated that he would not resign but would continue his anti-corruption efforts. “In the elections, the people will decide who to give power to,” he said.

Citizens demand justice

Citizens in Kocani initially gathered in a local park on March 17, but soon moved to the municipal offices where protesters demanded the mayor come out to meet them. Chants of “We demand justice”, “Any one of us could be next” and “Murderers” filled the air. Some protesters began throwing stones at the building, pounding on doors and windows, SDK.mk reported.

The crowd later marched to the Classic café, owned by the proprietor of the illegal Pulse nightclub, and vandalised the premises. Protesters shattered the glass-enclosed smoking terrace, overturned chairs and tables, and stormed inside the building.

The mayor of Kocani, Ljupco Papazov, has already announced his irrevocable resignation.

“In these most difficult moments for our country and for me personally, I would like to announce that I am irrevocably resigning from the position of mayor of Kocani,” he stated in a Facebook post.

“There are no words that can describe the pain that we all feel. Those children were our children. I knew most of them, I knew their families, and with some of them, we were family friends. The shock and heartbreak that I feel will last my entire life. This tragedy has left Kocani and Macedonia in darkness, and the void that has been left is unbearable.”

Toskovski announced that short-term detention has been ordered for 11 individuals. Among those detained are three officials from the State Market Inspectorate, one from the Labour Inspectorate, the nightclub owner, members of the security team, the owner of the security agency, the ticket seller and other employees of the illegal nightclub. Ex-minister of economy Kresnik Bekteshi from the DUI was also taken to a police station for interrogation.

A post on the Kocani Facebook page read: "This is not just a protest, but a call for change! We are demanding institutions that will work for citizens, police that will protect us, inspection services that will do their job, and public spaces that will be safe. This is a fight for justice, for all victims and for all of us who live in this city. We cannot bring back our loved ones, but we can fight for a system that will ensure security, justice, and accountability."

Students and citizens pay tribute to victims

Young people who arrived to enjoy a concert by their favourite band, or to celebrate other special moments, never imagined that such an event would end in devastation.

Tose Bogdanov, a 30-year-old mechanic, was one of the many lives lost in the fire. He had gone out with friends to celebrate the recent birth of his son. According to those close to the family, he wanted to treat his friends and enjoy the night, but tragically lost his life in the blaze.

In Kocani, mourners are grieving the loss of loved ones. One father, who lost his only son, expressed his agony through tears: "I had one child, and he died."

Sara Projkovska, a backing vocalist for DNK, was also among the victims. Known for her musical career and as a single mother raising two children, she had faced personal grief years before when she lost her ex-husband. Projkovska was also a piano professor at the Faculty of Music.

The tragedy also claimed the life of Ile Gocevski, a long-time ambulance driver in Kocani. After a long day of transporting fire victims, he went home to rest but passed away during the night.

Several hundred students from the largest state university, Saints Cyril and Methodius, gathered in Skopje to pay tribute to those who died in the fire. Education Minister Vesna Janevska also gave a speech.

A book of condolences has been opened in front of the Faculty of Law, and donation boxes have been set up, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross. Student gatherings will be held every day until March 21.

“We are all here together to express our deepest condolences and respect for the deceased and their families. Thank you for your presence because your presence means awareness, solidarity, humanity, sharing not only the good, but also the sadness and pain,” said Janevska.