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North Macedonia: Nightclub Fire Trial Opens
19 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Thirty-five people and three institutions are on trial.
- The trial concerns a devastating fire at Club Pulse.
- Prosecutors stated years of failings made the club a death trap.
A trial is underway in North Macedonia for 35 individuals and three institutions in connection with a horrific nightclub fire that resulted in 63 deaths. The incident occurred at Club Pulse in Kocani when pyrotechnics ignited the ceiling during a concert, trapping mostly young attendees.
During the opening proceedings, the judge acknowledged the profound grief of the victims' families, vowing a transparent and disciplined judicial process. Prosecutors have argued that prolonged negligence and safety oversights created a lethal environment within the club, directly contributing to the tragedy.
The focus of the trial is to establish accountability for the disaster. The court heard that the fire spread rapidly, turning what should have been a night of entertainment into a devastating loss of life, prompting this extensive legal examination.
