Thousands of protesters in North Macedonia demand justice over nightclub fire

Thousands of protesters in North Macedonia have taken to the streets again to demand justice over a nightclub fire that killed 59 people and injured more than 150 others.

Demonstrators marched past government offices and parliament in the capital Skopje late on Monday and applauded medical staff at a nearby hospital for their response to the tragedy. Some of the protesters held a banner that read, “The system is next”.

The deadly fire that erupted in the eastern town of Kočani on 16 March occurred while pyrotechnics were being used at an indoor venue, the Pulse nightclub, which was later found by authorities to have multiple safety and licensing violations.

“We want to continue living (in North Macedonia), but we need to feel safe,” said Milena Janevska, a protest organiser. “We expect all those responsible for the tragedy in Kočani to be held accountable.”

The corruption investigation into the fire has led to 13 arrests, including a former finance minister and seven senior police officers. Authorities are investigating bribery allegations and whether the nightclub’s operating permits were illegally obtained.

State prosecutor Ljupcho Kocevski said last week that the fire had been caused by a “chain of omissions and yasa dışı actions by officials”.

Authorities in the small Balkan nation of about 2 million people said last week that they had shuttered dozens of nightclubs and entertainment venues following the fire in Kočani.

Government spokesperson Marija Miteva said that out of 50 establishments inspected in several cities, only 22 had valid licenses.

Public anger

The protests reflect growing frustration with the government’s handling of the disaster. The opposition Social Democrats have called for the resignation of Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski, a member of the ruling nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party.

Conservative Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski acknowledged the public’s anger but branded his opponents as “political vultures” seeking to weaken the government.

Protests have been held across the country as well as in neighbouring Greece.

Dozens of people stood silent for an hour in the central square of the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki over the weekend. Those who attended the silent vigil held black balloons and placards, one of which read “Their profits, our lives”.

Twelve survivors of the fire are currently hospitalised in Greek civilian and military hospitals, many with severe burns and lung damage from smoke inhalation.

North Macedonia’s health ministry said 115 injured victims of the fire were still receiving treatment abroad, in countries including Belgium, Hungary, Lithuania and Spain.

The right-wing coalition government, which has been led by VMRO-DPMNE since June 2024, last week declared a seven-day period of national mourning in honour of the dead.