Skopje, 13 April 2025 (MIA) - The Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Kochani has ordered the extension of the investigation into the “Pulse” nightclub fire to include 19 more persons.

All are suspected of committing “serious crimes against public safety” under Article 292 in connection with Article 288 of the Criminal Code, the State Prosecutor's Office said late Saturday. The Ministry of Interior reported that, in coordination with the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Kochani, criminal charges have been filed against the 19 persons.

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office of North Macedonia, the individuals in question are public officials who, between 2012 to March 16, 2025, “jointly, though each in line with their respective positions, competencies, and responsibilities, completely failed to comply with the regulations on protective measures, have caused a risk to human life, physical safety, and extensive property damage.”

“The new suspects include authorized construction inspectors from the Kochani municipality, directors and the general inspector from the Protection and Rescue Directorate, ministers of economy, state secretaries, and other officials from that ministry, as well as inspectors from the State Market Inspectorate. There are suspicions that their illegal activities and continuous failures allowed the “Pulse” nightclub in Kochani to operate as a hospitality venue from the beginning until the fire, without meeting the legal requirements and in violation of all safety rules, endangering the lives of those who visited the venue. The use of pyrotechnic devices during the March 16, 2025 concert by the music group DNK led to a fire that claimed the lives of 61 people, including six children, and left 197 others injured, 25 of whom were children,” as stated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

It was also announced that by the end of the day, the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Kochani will submit proposals to the Basic Court in Kochani for the imposition of appropriate measures to ensure the presence of each of the newly suspected persons.

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