The fire, which broke out in the early hours a year ago, killed 63 people and injured more than 200.
Parents and relatives of the 63 victims of the fire at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, gathered overnight with candles in front of the club’s fence, BGNES reported.
Metal hearts bearing the names of those who died in the tragedy on March 16, 2025 were placed on the fence. The fire, which broke out in the early hours a year ago, killed 63 people and injured more than 200. The trial over the disaster, which began in Skopje in November 2025, is still far from its conclusion.
On March 14, a memorial prayer was held at the city cemetery in Kočani, marking the start of three days of commemorative events. It was preceded by a liturgy at the Church of St. George the Great Martyr. The faces of relatives and friends of the young victims reflected the enduring pain of the tragedy, and a year later the families continue to seek answers about the causes of the fire.
Over the past year, the “March of the Angels”, organized by the victims’ families, has taken place almost every week on the streets of the town. Their demand remains the same — a fair trial for all those responsible for allowing the “Pulse” nightclub to operate for years without meeting the necessary safety standards.
Parents of the victims also expressed disappointment with the way North Macedonia’s parliament honored the victims’ memory. They described the commemoration as formal and offensive, noting that the names of the victims were not read out and that the ceremony failed to reflect the scale of the tragedy.
A bicycle tour in memory of the victims and the injured, held on March 15, was also part of the anniversary program. The route passed through Orizari, Pribachevo, Grdovci, Mojanci and Podlog, as well as by the site of the tragedy — the “Pulse” nightclub.
About 500 people registered to take part in the ride, including cyclists and residents from Kočani and other towns who wanted to express solidarity and pay tribute to the victims.
The tragedy occurred on March 16, 2025, during a concert by the band DNK at the “Pulse” nightclub. The venue had more visitors than allowed, including minors, and pyrotechnics were used without authorization.
The investigation established that the nightclub had operated illegally for more than ten years — without minimum technical requirements, with unauthorized reconstructions and without a fire protection system. | BGNES