Polish PM offers condolences as North Macedonia mourns nightclub fire victims

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has extended his condolences to the families of the victims after a nightclub fire in North Macedonia killed at least 59 people and injured about 155 others.

Investigators look into the 'Club Pulse' nightclub after a fire in Kocani, Republic of North Macedonia, 16 March 2025. A fire at a discotheque in Kocani in the early hours of 16 March 2025 claimed the lives of at least 50 people and left over 100 injured, according to initial reports from the Directorate for Protection and Rescue and the Center for

Photo: EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Tusk expressed Poland’s solidarity with North Macedonia in the wake of the tragedy.

My deepest condolences to the families of the fire victims in Kocani. Poland stands in solidarity with North Macedonia in this tragic moment.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) March 16, 2025

Many world leaders have sent messages of support, as the country declared a seven-day mourning period.

The fire broke out in a nightclub in the eastern town of Kočani during a hip-hop concert.

Authorities said sparks from pyrotechnic devices used inside the venue ignited the flammable roof, leading to the deadly blaze.

North Macedonian authorities have launched an investigation against 20 individuals in connection with the fire.

Prosecutors have already filed requests for the temporary detention of four people, officials said.

(ał)

Source: IAR, PAP