Fatal North Macedonia nightclub inferno sparks outrage, disbelief and calls for punishment

KOCANI, North Macedonia — As families gathered at a hospital for updates, Tomco Stojanov already knew his son’s devastating fate: 25-year-old Andrej died trying to save others in a nightclub fire that left dozens dead in North Macedonia, including many trampled during a desperate bid to escape. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit A woman cries while waiting in line to write condolence messages for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, A woman cries while waiting in line to write condolence messages for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit A woman writes a condolence message for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, A woman writes a condolence message for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Authorities were investigating allegations of bribery surrounding the fire in the nightclub, which was crammed with young revelers and at double capacity. The building of a nightclub is damaged following a massive fire early Sunday in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, The building of a nightclub is damaged following a massive fire early Sunday in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit A woman walks past North Macedonia flags flapping in the wind at half staff in front of a Government building in Skopje, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, following a massive fire in the nightclub in the town of Kocani, early Sunday. A charred ventilator on the wall of a nightclub building, damaged following a massive fire early Sunday in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, A charred ventilator on the wall of a nightclub building, damaged following a massive fire early Sunday in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit “The omissions are significant. A toy and flowers are placed next to condolence books for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, A toy and flowers are placed next to condolence books for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025, Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Late Sunday, Kocani’s residents held a candlelight vigil in support of mourning families, waiting in long lines to light church candles.