Skopje square turns into sea of light remembering nightclub fire victims

Record ID: 1984131

  • Title: Skopje square turns into sea of light remembering nightclub fire victims
  • Date: 18th March 2025
  • Summary: SKOPJE, NORTH MACEDONIA (MARCH 18, 2025) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GATHERED AT HOLDING PHONES UP IN 16 MINUTES OF SILENCE (REFERRING TO MARCH 16) TO COMMEMORATE 59 VICTIMS OF DEADLY NIGHTCLUB FIRE VARIOUS PEOPLE HOLDING SIGNS READING (Macedonian): "VICTIMS OF CORRUPTION, ANOTHER FEATURING BLOOD-STAINED HAND" (SOUNDBITE) (Macedonian) LOCAL RESIDENT, MAJA VILAROVA, SAYING:
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: North Macedonia local community nightclub fire
  • Location: SKOPJE AND KOCANI, NORTH MACEDONIA
  • City: SKOPJE AND KOCANI, NORTH MACEDONIA
  • Country: Macedonia
  • Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Fires
  • Reuters ID: LVA001978818032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands gathered in North Macedonia for vigils on Tuesday (March 18) evening in remembrance of 59 people who died in a weekend nightclub fire, the deadliest disaster in the Balkan country in recent times.
    In the capital Skopje, a few thousand people gathered in the main square for a quiet vigil, illuminating the area with their mobile phones for 16 minutes, signifying the date of the tragedy, March 16.
    Hundreds of people gathered in Kocani's main square for prayers on Tuesday evening, where they released black balloons into the sky. People held photographs of the loved ones and those involved in the rescue operation, while others lit candles and penned condolence messages. 
    The fire broke out during a hip hop concert in the town of Kocani at around 3 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Sunday (March 16) when sparks from flares set a patch of ceiling alight. Hundreds of people scrambled for the unlicensed venue's only exit as flames spread across the roof.
    Officials said that the "Pulse" nightclub's licence was illegally obtained and that the venue lacked fire extinguishers and emergency exits. More than 150 people were injured.
    The lack of safety measures has angered many, and prompted calls for an end to corruption.
    Authorities have arrested about 20 people in connection with the fire, including government officials and the nightclub's manager.
    (Production: Fedja Grulovic, Fatos Bytyci, Malgorzata Wojtunik)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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