Instead of the "March for the Angels", today in Kocani, six months after the tragedy, a church memorial will be held at the eternal resting places of the victims of the great fire at the Pulse disco, BGNES reported.

The tragedy occurred on the night between March 16 and 17, 2025, when a fire broke out in the nightclub at around 2:30 a.m. The cause of the fire, according to initial assessments, was pyrotechnics that set fire to flammable material on the ceiling. Within a few minutes, the club was engulfed in flames, and those present - mostly young people - did not have time to escape.

62 people died in the tragedy and 193 were injured. This is the deadliest fire in Europe after the one in the Kolektif nightclub in Romania in 2015. The tragedy revealed serious systemic flaws – the club lacked sufficient exits, operated without a valid permit and was not adequately inspected.

In the months following the tragedy, Kocani residents, the victims’ families and supporters from across the country organised “Marches for Angels” demanding justice and accountability. The last march took place in August, with messages such as “No forgiveness!” and “For our children – we demand justice!” echoing through the streets.

The investigation found that 34 people were among the suspects, including a former minister, police officers, local inspectors and the club’s owner. All are suspected of serious offences – from forged permits to dereliction of duty. If found guilty, the sentences could reach up to 20 years in prison.

Despite the large number of accused, the public perception is that justice is delayed, and many citizens have accused the government of inaction and failure to take timely measures. The victims' parents often emphasize that they are not seeking revenge, but justice, truth, and accountability. | BGNES