Thousands protest in Skopje ahead of trial over deadly night club fire


A man holds an image of a victim, as families of victims who died in the fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kocani attend a protest called the "Angels March", in Skopje, North Macedonia, November 15, 2025. REUTERS/Valdrin Xhemaj

SKOPJE (Reuters) -Thousands gathered in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje on Saturday in protest over a night club fire in March which killed 63 people.

Families of those killed and their supporters, holding pictures and dressed in black, demanded justice for the victims of the blaze, whichbroke out during a hip hop concert in Kocani, a town of 25,000 people 50 miles (80 km) east of Skopje.

North Macedonian authorities have charged 37 people in connection with the fire.

"There is a hope that we will not forget, hope that we will not give up, and hope that we will finally have a proceeding in this country in which everyone, everyone responsible will be held accountable," said Bojan Eftimov, one of the protesters.

Dozens were injured as they scrambled to get out through the unlicensed venue's only exit as flames spread across its roof. Authorities believe it was set alight by sparks from flares.

A first trial hearing is expected to begin on November 19.

(Reporting by Fedja Grulovic and Malgorzata Wojtunik; Writing by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Alexander Smith)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

EU hosts Taliban officials in Brussels for first time
Russia weighs fuel imports amid Ukrainian strikes, Crimea restricts public life
Russian attack kills three in Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih, official says
Vatican rejects proposal to allow sermons by Catholic women
Ukraine's Zelenskiy to skip Poland reconstruction forum amid row
Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro plans to testify against proposed US tariffs
Family of Zambia's ex-leader should choose his burial site, South Africa court says
Trump insists Iran has agreed to nuclear inspections
Explainer-The health risks of extreme heat
Congo's Ebola outbreak has most cases in first month of any African outbreak, WHO says

Others Also Read