Kočani nightclub fire triggers mass protests and political crisis in North Macedonia

A devastating fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, has led to nationwide protests, political resignations, and arrests of high-ranking officials. The tragedy, which claimed 59 lives and injured over 150 people, has sparked public outrage over corruption, weak safety regulations, and government negligence.

Why is this important: The nightclub was operating with a falsified license and lacked basic emergency exits, raising serious concerns about regulatory failures and institutional corruption. The protests, which began in Kočani and quickly spread to Skopje, reflect deep-seated public frustration with government inaction and lack of accountability. The fallout has already led to the resignation of the mayor of Kočani, while several former government officials have been arrested. The crisis has exposed broader governance failures and intensified demands for justice and reform.

Context: The fire broke out around 3:00 AM on March 16 while the club was hosting a performance by the popular band DNA. Eyewitnesses reported that the venue was overcrowded, and there were no proper emergency exits, making it impossible for many to escape. The suspected cause of the fire is unauthorized pyrotechnics used during the event, though investigations are ongoing.

Authorities have arrested multiple individuals linked to the club’s management and licensing, including:

• A former Minister of Economy
• A former Crisis Management director
• A senior official from the Ministry of Economy accused of issuing fraudulent licenses

The government has vowed to inspect all nightclubs in the country and temporarily shut down unsafe venues to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Cries for justice: The tragedy has triggered mass demonstrations, with thousands of citizens gathering in Kočani and Skopje. Protesters stormed the Kočani municipality offices, vandalized government buildings, and set fire to a car belonging to the nightclub’s owner. Some demonstrators attacked another business owned by the same individual, accusing him of criminal negligence.

The protests turned violent as demonstrators threw stones and bottles at the municipal offices, chanting “Justice for the victims” and “No more corruption”. Police have arrested several individuals for vandalism but have largely refrained from direct confrontations with the protesters.

Resignation: As public anger grew, Kočani Mayor Ljupčo Papazov announced his resignation, saying he was taking moral responsibility for the disaster.

“This loss is immeasurable. The young people who died were our children, our friends, our neighbors. My heart is shattered, and this pain will last a lifetime. The tragedy has left a deep wound in Kočani and North Macedonia, and the emptiness is unbearable,” Papazov wrote in his resignation statement.

Despite his departure, protesters have continued to call for further resignations and criminal prosecutions, insisting that the government must be held accountable for systemic negligence.

Government scramble: Facing mounting pressure, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s administration has launched a large-scale crackdown on safety violations. Deputy Prime Minister Izet Mexhiti confirmed that 20 individuals have been detained, including key figures responsible for issuing safety licenses to nightclubs.

“The nightclub’s license was falsified, and it operated in clear violation of safety regulations. This is a direct result of a corrupt system, and we are determined to hold all those responsible accountable,” Mexhiti stated.

The Ministry of Interior reported that 22 people are under investigation, with 15 already arrested. Officials say the cause of the fire is still being investigated, but evidence suggests that fireworks and flammable materials inside the club played a significant role in the rapid spread of the blaze.

What else: The protests have evolved beyond just demands for justice for the victims, becoming a wider movement against corruption and government negligence. Protesters argue that authorities ignored long-standing safety violations at the nightclub and that similar issues exist in other venues across the country.

The government has announced a temporary suspension of nightclub operations across North Macedonia until all venues undergo safety inspections. Officials have also pledged sweeping reforms to improve fire safety standards and prevent further cases of fraudulent licensing.

The tragedy has shaken the region, prompting official mourning and international expressions of solidarity. Bosnia and Herzegovina declared March 18 a national day of mourning, lowering flags to half-mast. The Albanian government also expressed condolences, with Prime Minister Edi Rama, President Bajram Begaj, and Speaker of Parliament Elisa Spiropali offering their support to the people of North Macedonia.

What’s next: The protests show no signs of stopping, and the government faces growing demands for systemic reform. While arrests have been made, many believe justice will not be served unless top officials are held accountable for the failures that led to this catastrophe.

With public trust in institutions at an all-time low, the nightclub fire has become a defining moment for North Macedonia’s leadership, testing its ability to enforce laws, fight corruption, and restore public confidence in governance.