Bulgaria Provides 1.5 Million Leva in Aid to North Macedonia Following Devastating Kocani Nightclub Fire

Tragedy Strikes Kocani Nightclub

In the early hours of Sunday, March 16, 2025, a devastating fire erupted at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia. The blaze, which began around 2:35 AM or 3:00 AM, was triggered by sparks from indoor fireworks (pyrotechnics) used during a concert by the hip-hop duo DNK. These sparks ignited flammable acoustic foam sheets on the ceiling, rapidly engulfing the venue in flames and toxic smoke. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 62 people, aged between 16 and 48, and left more than 200 individuals injured. Many victims suffered severe burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries from a stampede as concertgoers attempted to escape. The tragedy marked the deadliest nightclub fire in Europe since 2015 and the deadliest fire in North Macedonia's history.

Safety Violations and Aftermath

Investigations into the fire revealed numerous safety violations at the Pulse nightclub. The venue was operating without a proper license, lacked essential safety features such as sprinklers and sufficient emergency exits, and had only a single fire extinguisher. Furthermore, the club was reportedly operating at twice its legal capacity, with approximately 650 people inside when only 250 tickets had been sold. In the immediate aftermath, North Macedonia declared a seven-day period of national mourning. Authorities launched a comprehensive investigation, leading to around 20 arrests, including government officials and the club manager, in connection with the licensing irregularities and safety breaches. The mayor of Kocani also resigned following the emerging scandal, and protests against corruption were held across the country.

Bulgaria's Humanitarian Response

Six months after the tragic event, on September 25, 2025, the Bulgarian Council of Ministers formally approved a humanitarian aid package for North Macedonia. The assistance totals 1,490,765 leva, equivalent to approximately 766,940 euros. This comprehensive aid package is designed to support the victims and their families, covering various critical needs:

• Aeromedical evacuation of 8 people by a Spartan military aircraft, valued at up to 70,000 leva.
• Ground medical transport for 6 people using specialized medical vehicles, costing 9,300 leva.
• Hospital treatment in Bulgaria for 15 patients, with expenses reaching 1,352,000 leva.
• Accommodation for family members accompanying the victims during their treatment, amounting to 59,465 leva.

Prior to this formal approval, Bulgaria had already extended immediate assistance on March 16, 2025, by sending a Spartan aircraft to transport seriously injured individuals to specialized burn wards in Bulgarian hospitals in Sofia and Varna, demonstrating early solidarity with its neighbor.