North Macedonia - March 2025

A fire at a nightclub in Kočani on 16 March killed at least 59 people and injured over 150, mostly teenagers and young people, with the government declaring a rare seven-day period of national mourning. Over 100 of those injured required medical treatment abroad. The tragedy sparked public outrage and protests over alleged systemic failures linked to corruption, official negligence, and impunity, which compromised public safety. Authorities said that the nightclub lacked a proper operating license, did not meet security standards, and had only one accessible exit, which led to a stampede. Interior Minister Toshkovski stated that there were grounds to suspect a connection between corruption and the incident. At least 15 people were detained, including former Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi, while the Mayor of Kočani resigned on moral grounds. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski pledged accountability, vowing a thorough investigation and a reopening of past cases, such as the 2021 fire at the Tetovo Covid-19 hospital. 

Sources: Republika (1), Republika (2), Euronews, The Guardian, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), British Broadcasting Corporation