Skopje, 19 March 2025 (MIA) – Gatherings to honour the victims of the tragic fire at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kochani were held late Tuesday in several cities across the country. Citizens expressed their condolences and support to the families of the deceased and injured, calling for accountability from the institutions. The investigation is ongoing, with 18 individuals detained so far, 16 of whom remain in custody. The funerals of the victims are scheduled for Thursday.

The gathering in Skopje was marked by 16 minutes of silence and a starry sky over Macedonia Square. Thousands of citizens joined to express their solidarity in these difficult moments.

Two gatherings were held at the Park of the Revolution in Kochani. The first, held under the motto “Freedom for Our Heroes,” demanded the release of the detained security personnel. The second, led by Metropolitan Hilarion of Bregalnica, was dedicated to prayers for the souls of the deceased and speedy recovery of the injured.

In Delchevo, citizens gathered in the City Park on Tuesday, lighting candles in memory of the victims and offering prayers for the recovery of the injured.

In Bitola, a candlelight procession with flowers paid tribute to those who lost their lives, while participants also expressed dissatisfaction with institutions for failing to prevent the tragedy.

Several hundred young people and residents of Kriva Palanka gathered in front of the municipality building, lighting candles and praying for the injured. A similar gathering took place at the “St. Clement of Ohrid” city square in Ohrid, where young people voiced their growing concerns about the safety in nightclubs and discos.

In Shtip, citizens gathered at "Sloboda" City Square with a banner reading "Enough," displaying the names of the victims. They then marched through the streets in tribute to those who lost their lives. In Kumanovo, residents gathered at the city square, lighting candles before photographs of the deceased and chanting, "Justice for Kochani."

In Strumica, citizens gathered at the city square, lighting candles and signing the book of condolences. The young people sent a message to the institutions, demanding they function without corruption. Gatherings were also held in Valandovo and Gevgelija.

Chief Prosecutor Ljupcho Kocevski says investigation in the Kochani nightclub fire will be swift, efficient and professional, noting that all evidence must be collected and the team of prosecutors has a cautious approach.

"I stand by my promise that the investigation will be swift and efficient. Nevertheless, this does not mean it will be hasty. All evidence must be lawfully collected, which means that the team of prosecutors has a cautious approach," Kocevski told Sitel.

He adds it is a complex and difficult case with many victims.

"All facts and circumstances regarding the cause for the accident will be established," says Kocevski.

Kocevski emphasized that the site of the event is still being secured, and if necessary, the collection of evidence will carry on.“

Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski noted at Tuesday’s press conference that they are fully dedicated to this case and are taking steps towards resolving it. He mentioned that searches and questionings are ongoing.

He informed that 18 people have been detained so far, with 16 remaining in custody. In total, 71 individuals have been questioned, 42 in Skopje and 29 in Kochani.

Eleven people have been placed into detention for the founded suspicion of grave crimes against general safety, while three for malpractice, the Minister said.

“There are elements which indicate that crucial documents, which were prerequisites for the operationalization of the cabaret, were drafted illegally, without determining the facts,” Toshkovski said.

Toshkovski stressed two people, employees at the Ministry of Economy, were the target of searches during which the police seized technical equipment, documents, weapons and ammo. 

“Searches were also carried of the manager and the person responsible for the nightclub. Police officers also entered the municipal building, where measures and activities are being taken to secure documents related to the nightclub,” the Minister said.

Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski said Tuesday all 59 victims of the Kochani nightclub fire have been identified and the autopsy has been completed.

"All 59 victims have been identified and the autopsy has been completed. Another 196 have been injured, of whom 20 minors," Minister Toshkovski told a press conference.

He added that 93 of the injured are treated in the Skopje hospitals, while 80 have been transported abroad - Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Austria, Lithuania, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia.

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The funerals of the victims of the fire at the "Pulse" nightclub will be held on Thursday, March 20, as announced yesterday by the Director of the Crisis Management Centre, Stojanche Angelov, during a joint press conference with the Metropolitan of Bregalnica Diocese, Hilarion.

“The head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, HH Stefan, will attend the funeral, along with several bishops from the Synod. The Church is making every effort to ensure that the victims are honoured in the most dignified manner by the state. All steps have been taken to provide a respectful funeral, though it will not diminish the sorrow of those who lost their children so young,” Angelov said.

A seven-day mourning period has been declared in the country for the victims, and mourning days have also been observed in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Bulgaria following the tragedy.

Moreover, several countries, citizens, and organizations are offering assistance to the families of the victims and the injured in the devastating fire at the "Pulse" nightclub in Kochani, which claimed 59 lives and left over 150 injured.

Photo: screenshot, MIA archive, EPA