North Macedonia nightclub fire investigation expands to former ministers

Authorities file charges against 19 more people over the deadly Kocani nightclub blaze.

A woman writes a message in a condolence book at a makeshift memorial in Kocani on March 19, 2025, honoring the 59 victims of the deadly nightclub fire that occurred the previous weekend. Photo by Armend Nimani/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Authorities in North Macedonia have significantly broadened the scope of their investigation into the Kocani nightclub fire, one of the deadliest nightclub tragedies in Europe in recent years. The North Macedonia nightclub fire investigation now includes former ministers and senior officials, raising the total number of individuals under scrutiny to 52.

The fire, which broke out during a hip-hop concert on March 16 in the eastern town of Kocani, killed 61 people and injured nearly 200 others. The venue, which was packed with concertgoers, became the site of a horrifying tragedy when stage fireworks ignited a blaze that quickly engulfed the club. A stampede ensued as attendees rushed for the exits, but the chaos resulted in dozens of lives lost.

According to the Interior Ministry, charges have now been filed against 19 additional individuals, many of whom held high-ranking government positions in the years leading up to the disaster. These suspects include former economy ministers and senior figures from the country’s Protection and Rescue Directorate. All are being investigated for what authorities have described as “serious crimes against public security.”

Former government officials under fire

The expanded investigation has cast a wide net, including officials who held power from 2012, when the club first opened, up to the date of the fire. A joint statement from the Interior Ministry and public prosecutor’s office accused these individuals of failing to enforce public safety regulations and of neglecting their legal duties to protect citizens.

“They did not act at all in line with the regulations on protection measures and thereby endangered lives of people and property on a large scale,” said the prosecutor’s office in a formal statement.

Local media have reported that among those newly charged is the current minister without portfolio as well as the former head of the Protection and Rescue Directorate. A warrant has also been issued for a former economy minister, who is currently serving as North Macedonia’s ambassador abroad. The identity of this ambassador has not been officially confirmed, but sources close to the investigation suggest international cooperation may be sought to bring them into custody.

A nation reeling from disaster

The Kocani nightclub fire has deeply scarred North Macedonia and shocked the international community. Witnesses of the event described scenes of panic and terror as the fire spread rapidly through the venue. With exits blocked and visibility low due to smoke, many were unable to escape.

Authorities have since discovered multiple safety violations at the club, including the absence of emergency exits and inadequate fire suppression systems. Officials also confirmed that no fire safety inspections had been carried out in recent years, despite repeated events held at the venue.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, police arrested 33 people, including seven police officers, a former economy minister, and three former mayors of Kocani. Those arrests were just the beginning of what has now become a full-scale national investigation.

Stage fireworks blamed for catastrophe

The fire is believed to have been triggered by stage pyrotechnics set off during the performance. Eyewitness videos posted to social media showed fireworks igniting decorations and other flammable materials on stage, which quickly spread toward the crowd.

Despite multiple warning signs and a history of lax safety enforcement, the concert went ahead without any fire marshals or emergency personnel on site. Survivors later described a chaotic scene in which security guards and staff were ill-equipped to manage the emergency.

For many in North Macedonia, the tragedy has become emblematic of systemic failures in public safety and government accountability. Protests broke out in the days after the fire, with citizens demanding justice for the victims and calling for sweeping reforms in how public venues are licensed and monitored.

Legal and political fallout

As the North Macedonia nightclub fire investigation deepens, pressure is mounting on the government to hold those responsible accountable. The inclusion of high-ranking former officials in the list of suspects has sent shockwaves through the political establishment.

Prime Minister Stefan Kovacevski has pledged full transparency and vowed to support the work of investigators.

“No one is above the law,” he said during a televised address days after the fire. “The victims and their families deserve justice, and we will not rest until every responsible party is held accountable.”

While opposition leaders have accused the government of acting too slowly, others argue that the current investigation represents a long-overdue reckoning for years of regulatory neglect. Some political analysts believe the case could have long-term implications for North Macedonia’s political future, especially as the country prepares for upcoming elections.

Broader implications for public safety

The fire in Kocani has prompted wider discussions across the Balkans and Europe about the enforcement of safety codes in public entertainment venues. Several countries have announced immediate audits of clubs, concert halls, and similar venues in light of the tragedy.

In North Macedonia, the government has ordered a nationwide review of fire safety infrastructure and pledged to introduce new legislation aimed at improving oversight. Civil society groups and victims’ families have called for a memorial to be erected at the site of the tragedy, along with financial compensation for survivors and their loved ones.

Human rights organizations have also raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding venue inspections and the slow pace of legal proceedings following previous safety incidents.

A growing investigation

With the number of people under investigation now reaching 52, along with three companies also implicated in the case, the North Macedonia nightclub fire investigation appears far from over. Prosecutors say more arrests could follow as forensic and financial audits continue.

Many of those arrested in the early stages of the investigation remain in custody as formal charges are prepared. Legal experts say trials could begin later this year, though they caution that complex cases involving multiple defendants often move slowly through the courts.

For now, the focus remains on identifying failures in oversight and ensuring that nothing like the Kocani tragedy ever happens again. As public pressure continues to mount, authorities are determined to show that justice will be served—no matter how far up the political ladder the responsibility may go.