Thousands of citizens gathered in Skopje on March 24 to protest the fire in North Macedonia’s town of Kocani that claimed the lives of 59 young people and injured almost 200.

The tragedy occurred in the early hours on March 16 during a concert by the popular hip-hop duo DNK at the Pulse Club in Kocani, a small town of over 20,000 people, located around 100km east of the capital, Skopje. Initial reports suggest that pyrotechnic devices used during the performance may have sparked the fire, causing the roof to catch fire.

The protest, organised under the initiative "Who is Next?", began in Macedonia Square in downtown Skopje before moving to the parliament building and the City Hospital, where demonstrators expressed support for the doctors treating the victims.

Citizens carried banners, one of which read "The system is next". The organisers stressed the need for accountability, calling for disciplinary, criminal and political responsibility for all those involved in the fire. "We must no longer witness heinous events that go unpunished, leaving us with no promise of future protection. Accidents are increasing, and their victims are becoming more numerous," said the organisers.

The protest ended in front of the government building, where the crowd continued to demand justice for the victims and their families.

Meanwhile, students from Saints Cyril and Methodius University began their own gatherings in tribute to the victims but cancelled further events planned for March 24, citing concerns over political interference.

The controversy arose after a video surfaced online showing an online meeting attended by several young people from North Macedonia and one from Serbia. During the meeting, the individual from Serbia can be seen and heard instructing students on how to organise protests in North Macedonia, similar to those in Serbia. Among the participants was a student from the opposition the Left party (Levica), who admitted in the conversation that he was affiliated with a political party, Kanal 5 reported.

The presence of Education Minister Vesna Janevska at the first gathering on March 17 also sparked controversy, with many students expressing their desire to keep political parties out of the movement.

"The intentions to politicise and interfere with our genuine student movement have been recognised. Today's gathering is clear evidence that students do not want political involvement in expressing their views and that the political party Levica attempted to hijack the authentic student outcry!" stated the Independent Student Union, according to broadcaster Alfa.mk.

Meanwhile, the health ministry confirmed that 16 patients injured in the fire are now well enough to be discharged from hospitals in North Macedonia, while 38 remain in treatment.

Eight of the 115 injured who were sent abroad for medical care will soon return to North Macedonia for further treatment, Sitel reported. Only four are in critical condition.

As investigations continue, the Prosecutor’s Office has involved 34 individuals and three legal entities in the ongoing probe into the Kocani tragedy. Around 300 witnesses are expected to be questioned, as authorities work to uncover the full extent of responsibility for the disaster.