Skopje, 16 March 2026 (MIA) — One year after Kochani's Pulse nightclub fire killed 63 people, including children, and left a permanent scar on the nation, survivors and grieving families gathered early Monday to remember the victims of the deadliest tragedy in the country's recent history.

Immediately following the March 16, 2025, tragedy, the Municipality of Kochani convened an emergency session to coordinate a response. As the nation entered seven days of official mourning, early reports estimated 59 dead and 150 injured. The final casualty toll cited in court indictments rose to 63 deaths and more than 200 injuries after those hospitalized were treated.

The anniversary highlights an ongoing legal battle. Prosecutors have charged 34 individuals and three companies with serious crimes against public safety. The defendants include venue owners, managers, inspectors, security personnel and high-ranking former officials, including three former mayors and four directors of the Protection and Rescue Directorate. 

Investigators found that the club had operated illegally for over a decade. The building lacked fire permits, used flammable polyurethane foam on the ceilings and did not have an adequate emergency exit. On the night of the tragedy, pyrotechnics ignited the ceiling and the fire spread in seconds, as smoke and panic trapped guests inside the club. Most victims died trying to reach the door.

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the owners allowed illegal reconstructions and overcrowding, including the entry of minors. Public employees allegedly forged documents and issued illegal licenses, while inspectors did not inspect the site for years. The investigation also found that former mayors did not close the club or order safety checks, despite knowing it operated without permits.

In his opening statement, prosecutor Borche Janev described the facility as a “death trap” created by years of negligence.

“It is not only important who started the fire,” Janev said. “It is important who had a bucket of water and did not pour it.”

The tragedy’s reach has extended deep into the government. Charges against two former economy ministers were dropped for lack of evidence but 13 police officers were indicted for failing to perform their duties leading up to the disaster. 

The trial, held in a high-security courtroom at the Idrizovo prison, saw all defendants plead not guilty in late 2025. Defense attorneys argue the tragedy resulted from systemic institutional failures rather than individual criminal intent. 

The court has heard the testimonies of parents, survivors, guests who were at the club and members of the band that played that night. Investigators, construction and safety inspectors, pyrotechnics vendors and firefighters have also testified.

Prosecutors are working to build a complete picture of the disaster to decide who is responsible. The trial continues Tuesday with more witnesses called by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

In Kochani, the pain remains visible. The March of the Angels, a protest group formed by the victims' parents, has held weekly marches to pressure the government for safety reforms and demand justice. To mark the anniversary, the city set up a memorial titled "63 White Chairs," representing the lives lost, many of whom were children and young adults.

As the trial resumes, the police have begun the task of returning the victims' personal belongings to their families — a final, painful acknowledgment of the lives interrupted one year ago: Dime Dimitriev, Sara Aleksova, Monika Spasova, Toshe Todorovski, Aleksandar Kolarov, Adrijan Zhivkov, Aleksandar Aleksov, Gorgi Velichkov, Jordancho Dzhamov, Ivan Trajchev, Dzhoko Gorgiev, Aleksandar Gligorovski, Ivan Velichkov, Andrej Stojanov, Ivona Antova, Pavel Hristovski, Nikola Nasevski, Toshe Bogdanov, Ana Koceva, Gordan Petrushov, Igorche Gorgiev, Filip Stevanovski, Tomche Stojanov, Monika Stoimenova, Stojancho Stojanov, Sara Projkovska Nikolovska, Marija Shopova, Aleksandar Gorgiev, Petar Ivanovski, Bojana Zakova, Matej Markovski, Gorgji Vasilkov, Aleksandar Petrov, Andreja Gorgjievski, Marija Strezoska, Aleksandar Efremov, Lepa Taseva Stojkovska, Igor Velkov, Bozhidar Minov, Martin Atanasovski, Stefanija Sokolova, Tomas Zlatkov, Keti Milkovska, Viktor Jordanov, Andrej Panov, Spiro Stoimenov, Jove Vladimitov, Stefan Tasevski, Ice Andonov, Aleksandar Stojanov, Sanja Hristova, Damjan Taneski, Andrej Lazarov, Dragana Minova, Filip Ivanovski, Sara Jordanova, Leonid Velkov, Nadica Naunova, Dimitar Ivanov and Vladimir Blazhev. mr/