Over 80% of discotheques in North Macedonia would be closed due to their failure to meet minimum technical and safety requirements, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced on March 19. 

Inspections were launched after authorities pledged to intensify efforts against bribery and corruption in response to a devastating fire that broke out in the early hours of March 16 at an improvised nightclub in the eastern city of Kocani. The tragedy claimed the lives of 59 clubbers, mostly young people, and left nearly 200 injured.

The latest inspections of nightclubs and discotheques in North Macedonia, launched following the deadly fire in Kocani, revealed serious regulatory violations, government spokesperson Marija Miteva said on March 19.

"Since yesterday's inspection of 12 facilities with active, valid licences, it has been determined that three of them do not meet the minimum technical conditions, yet still hold valid licences to operate," Miteva stated. "For the remaining nine, inspections are still ongoing."

She added that requests for licence revocations, activity bans and other legal penalties would be enforced. More than ten inspection teams are currently in the field, and checks will continue in the coming days, including for venues operating without valid licences.

"What happened in Kocani is not just an isolated tragedy - it is a symptom of a broken system inherited from years of corruption. We will neither turn a blind eye nor protect. I want to emphasise that we understand the frustration. People are demanding justice and they will get it," Miteva added.

"Following the tragedy in Kocani, the Market Inspection launched nationwide controls, reviewing nightclub and cabaret licences. Of the 60-70 venues checked so far, even those with formal permits do not meet the necessary requirements," Mickoski said in an interview with Sitel television.

30 days of detention have been ordered for seven police officers in connection with the Kocani tragedy.

The suspected police officers were taken to the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje, where multiple judges reviewed the prosecution’s request for detention.

"The proposal of the Public Prosecutor's Office is accepted, and all seven suspects are ordered to be detained for 30 days," the Criminal Court announced.

The criminal charges are linked to the issuing of a permit for the operation of the Pulse nightclub where the fire occurred, resulting in 59 deaths.