The horrific fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, which claimed 62 lives and injured dozens of young people, continues to shake North Macedonia. The first group of 45 injured individuals has completed rehabilitation at the mountain center Ponikva, where they receive essential medical care and physical therapy. The director of the general hospital in Kočani, Katerina Mirčovska, emphasizes that staying in nature positively impacts their physical and mental recovery. Some have already resumed preparing for university exams or returned to work, and one young man even became a volunteer firefighter.
The fire occurred on March 16 at 2:30 AM during a concert by the group DNK, caused by the use of pyrotechnics. The Pulse nightclub operated with valid permits but violated many safety standards. In the indictment filed on June 13, 34 individuals and three legal entities are charged with serious crimes against public safety. A total of 74 people and three companies were initially suspected, and the investigation also involves 27 police officers suspected of organized crime and corruption. The investigation is expected to conclude by September.
The rehabilitation of the injured includes expert care from plastic surgery specialists from Skopje and physiotherapists from Kočani and Štip. The Ponikva resort, located in the Osogovo mountains at about 1,000 meters above sea level, has been allocated to the Ministry of Health for extended medical care and rehabilitation. This tourist center is surrounded by dense beech forests and diverse vegetation, which further aids recovery.
This tragic event exposes how catastrophic safety standard violations can be. Will justice finally be served? While the investigation drags on, young people fight for their lives and futures. If you have thoughts on how such tragedies can be prevented or opinions on the investigation’s progress, feel free to drop a comment — maybe your word can spark something big!
