Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has faced widespread backlash following his visit to the victims of a deadly fire at a nightclub in Kocani, North Macedonia, which killed 59 people and left over 160 others injured.

Vucic travelled to the University Clinical Centre of Serbia in Belgrade on March 17, where several victims severely injured in the fire were receiving medical treatment. However, the visit quickly sparked controversy due to the presence of a large media entourage, including over 20 journalists, photojournalists and cameramen.

Vucic's visit was intended to express solidarity with the victims, but many saw the media-heavy appearance as an ill-considered public relations stunt rather than a genuine act of compassion. Citizens across both Serbia and North Macedonia voiced their anger on social media, accusing Vucic of using the tragedy for political gain.

The fire, which occurred early on March 16 at the Pulse nightclub, is one of the worst tragedies in recent history for North Macedonia.

During the visit, Vucic was seen offering words of reassurance to some of the most critically injured patients, including one with severe burns. "Don't worry, the fact that it is covered by burns, we will make it look beautiful afterwards," Vucic reportedly told the victim, according to local media outlet B92.

The fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani, which began in the early hours of March 16, has been declared a national tragedy. Authorities confirmed that 22 of the most critically injured victims have been transferred to neighbouring countries for medical treatment, including neighbouring Serbia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece. Many of the victims remain in critical condition.

In North Macedonia, the tragedy has fuelled criticism of the government in Skopje, and protests have already erupted in Kočani. Many citizens in North Macedonia are blaming corruption for the tragedy, and some fear it could lead to civil unrest similar to that seen in Serbia following the November 2024 tragedy at Novi Sad railway station, when part of a train station collapsed, killing 15 people.