How did DNK concert pyrotechnics turn deadly? North Macedonia nightclub fire kills 59, injures 150

A North Macedonia nightclub fire has resulted in 59 people dead and over 100 others injured. According to CNN, the fire broke out in the early hours of March 15, 2025, as the popular band DNK was performing.

North Macedonia’s Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski reports that the fire started due to a malfunction from the pyrotechnics placed at the front of the stage to provide lighting effects:

"The fire was caused by pyrotechnics used for lighting effects at the concert and activated the sprinklers. Most likely, sparks caught a part of the ceiling that was made of flammable material, causing the fire to spread to the entire discotheque in a short period of time, creating thick smoke.”

Viral videos from the incident show sparks from pyrotechnics hitting the ceiling as the DNK performed and the ensuing chaos.

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Police are investigating a bribery and corruption case in connection with the North Macedonia nightclub fire

Toshkovski revealed to the press that 15 persons, including the nightclub owner, had been arrested and detained after investigations revealed that the club, formerly a carpet warehouse, had been operating without a license. He added that the club’s population of 500 at the time of the tragedy exceeded its capacity of 250.

The Minister of Interior also revealed that bribery and corruption contributed to the sad incident, although he didn’t elaborate further on it:

"We have grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption in this case."

One of the victims of the North Macedonia nightclub fire incident, Marija Taseva, recounted how she and her sister, who tragically lost her life, tried to escape from the club.

“We even tried to get out through the bathroom, only to find bars on the windows,”

She continued:

“I somehow managed to get out. I fell down the stairs, and they ran over me, trampled me. ... I barely stayed alive and could hardly breathe.”

Among the victims of the tragic North Macedonia nightclub fire are four members of the DNK group, their photographer, Aleksandar Efremov, and football player Andrej Lazarov. AP News reports that the death toll of the North Macedonia nightclub fire may rise as 20 of the injured are in critical condition.

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Prime Minister Mickoski stated that the government would deal with the consequences and determine the cause of the tragedy. The government has declared seven days of national mourning for the victims.