Skopje, 21 March 2025 (MIA) – The Kochani Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered an investigation to be opened into 27 people and three legal entities that are being suspected of committing grave crimes against general safety as accomplices.

A chain of omissions and illegal actions by officials and people in charge had led to a fire breaking out as a result of pyrotechnics being used during a concert by the band DNK in the Club Pulse in Kochani, claiming the lives of 59 people and injuring 197, including 25 teenagers, State Chief Prosecutor Ljupcho Kocevski said Friday.\

“All the suspects in the period between 2012 and March 16, 2025, acting in their capacity and in line with their authorisations failed to take actions in line with the regulations for protection, thus causing a large-scale threat to the lives and bodies of people and assets,” Kocevski told a news conference Friday.

According to him, more people will be included in the investigation if evidence is secured.

Three people have been identified as being in charge as co-owners or managers of the club.

“The building, intended for light industry, didn’t meet any condition to be turned into an entertainment venue, however, the suspects were issued licenses illegally. At the same time, everyone knew and were aware that the club failed to meet the legal conditions to offer hospitality services,” stated Kocevski.

The prime suspect, he noted, is suspected of bribing an Economy Ministry official from the period of February 13, 2024, until February 13, 2025 in order to obtain a license. As a result, the ministry official will be also investigated for receiving a bribe

One of the suspects, said Kocevski, is the owner and manager of the Kochani company, who in 2010 met a request by the suspected owner by preparing a basic project, a required condition for the venue to start operating as a nightclub although she knew the venue cannot be repurposed.

“The owner used this illegal project in the period between 2012 and 2023 to apply for licenses,” the prosecutor said.

Five Economy Ministry officials have been suspected so far, including a former economy minister and a former state secretary.

A former State Market Inspectorate director and three inspectors are also suspects for failing to conduct an inspection from 2020 until 2025, in line with their authorizations, into the activities of the company managing the nightclub to see whether it holds a valid license, whether it meets the minimum technical conditions required for an entertainment venue to operate, thus allowing the Club Pulse to continue to offer hospitality services in an illegal manner, according to the chief prosecutor.

Also, three Kochani mayors and two former directors of the Protection and Rescue Directorate from 2012 until March 16, 2025 are suspected of failing to fulfil their legal duties, thus allowing the Club Pulse to operate illegally. During that time, Kocevski noted, the municipality regularly received payments, i.e. hospitality service fees.

“On March 16, 2025, a suspect, one of the club’s managers, organized the concert orally without signing a contract with the band DNK. Also, together with other suspects, including security guards, they allowed the concert to be attended by 650 people, including at least 31 minors, being well aware that it is beyond the capacity of the club,” Kocevski told reporters.

The suspected club managers and security guards didn’t prevent pyrotechnic fountains from being used during the concert although they didn’t have a permit issued by the authorities.

“One band member is suspected for the bringing in and using pyrotechnics. It is believed that band members around 2:32 am, as part of their performance, activated the pyrotechnic fountains that emitted sparks towards the roof over the stage, which caught fire immediately and spread across the entire venue,” stated Kocevski.

According to him, all suspects have been identified. The Kochani prosecution will seek detention for all suspects, except for three people who are in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.

MIA file photo