Authorities in North Macedonia have detained 15 people following a deadly fire at an improvised nightclub in the town of Kocani, which killed at least 59 people and left over 150 injured, officials said on Sunday.

The blaze erupted at around 2:30 am local time (01:30 GMT) during a concert by DNK, a popular hip-hop duo, at the Pulse club, where approximately 500 people had gathered.

Initial investigations suggest that pyrotechnic devices used during the performance triggered the fire by igniting the club’s flammable ceiling material.

Police officials said only one member of DNK survived and is undergoing treatment.

Safety lapses and illegal operations

Interior Minister Pance Toskovski stated that the nightclub was operating without a legal licence, and authorities suspect bribery and corruption linked to its approval. "There are grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption in this case," Toskovski told reporters.

Local media described the venue as an "improvised nightclub" that had previously functioned as a carpet warehouse. Authorities found several safety violations, including a lack of an operational fire suppression system and insufficient emergency exits.

"The building had only one efficient exit, as the back door was locked and could not be used," said Mayor Danela Arsovska, adding that this contributed to the panic and chaos as attendees rushed to escape.

Video footage from the incident, verified by the BBC, shows sparks from stage pyrotechnics igniting the ceiling, leading to a rapid spread of flames. Some clubgoers initially attempted to extinguish the fire instead of evacuating, which may have contributed to the high casualty count.

Survivors recount horror

Marija Taseva, 20, who was in the club at the time, described a scene of horror and panic. "I was caught in a crush as people rushed for the exits. I fell to the ground and was trampled before somehow managing to get out," she told Reuters.

Taseva’s 25-year-old sister, whom the family had been searching for, was among the deceased. "I was saved, and she wasn’t," she said.

Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov noted that most of the victims were young, with more than 20 of the injured and three of the deceased under 18.

"The situation is brutal, chaotic. The stories are heartbreaking, and unfortunately, many young lives have been lost," he said.

At the University Clinic for Surgical Diseases in Skopje, Dr Vladislav Gruev, a specialist in reconstructive and plastic surgery, said most of the victims suffered second- and third-degree burns.

"Eighteen patients remain in critical condition," he added.

National mourning and international response

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called it a "difficult and very sad day" for the country and announced a seven-day national mourning period. The government has convened an emergency session to investigate the disaster.

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova expressed deep sorrow, stating, "Your immense pain is mine too." She emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies.

Several of the most severely injured victims have been transported to hospitals in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for specialized treatment.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extended her condolences, saying the European Union "stands in solidarity with the people of North Macedonia in this difficult time." Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić described the incident as "a tragedy of immense magnitude," warning that more casualties could follow due to the severity of injuries.