Families of Kočani Nightclub Fire Victims Accuse North Macedonia’s Prime Minister of Insensitivity, Demand Justice
Families of the 62 young victims who died in a nightclub fire in the eastern Macedonian town of Kočani have accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of callousness and institutional negligence, following what they described as a deeply offensive meeting at the government’s headquarters in Skopje earlier this month.
In a strongly worded public statement, the families – now organized under the civic association “March 16, 2025 – Kočani” – said their attempt to seek justice through official channels had been met with delays, disrespect, and what they called “humiliating” remarks by the Prime Minister.
The fire, which broke out at the “Pulse” nightclub on March 16, remains the deadliest single tragedy in the country’s modern history.
“Instead of compassion, we were met with indifference,” the families said, recalling their July 7 meeting with the prime minister. “We were told to ‘set a price’ for our children’s lives.”
According to the statement, around 60 parents and relatives of the victims traveled to Skopje for the meeting after their request to hold it in Kočani was denied for “security reasons.” They said Mickoski offered no personal condolences and claimed he was seeing their written demands for the first time, despite assurances from his staff days earlier that the letter had been received and reviewed.
The group said that when they raised their request for one-time financial assistance from a national emergency fund, the Prime Minister allegedly responded: “This is the same as SDSM’s proposal, except you haven’t named a price. Set a price for your children.”
“This sentence will echo in our hearts forever – as another kind of death, the death of our dignity,” the parents said in the statement.
The Prime Minister’s Office has not publicly responded to the allegations.
The families said that judicial proceedings have yet to begin and that those suspected of responsibility for the fire remain at large. They described the disaster as a “mass murder of 62 children,” accusing authorities of stalling the investigation and shielding those involved.
“No one is listening. No one is acting. We are being humiliated by those who should serve us,” the statement continued. “Our children are gone, but their voices live through us – and we will not be silenced.”
The association reiterated that their movement is non-political and solely focused on achieving justice.
“If you can’t lead this country, then step aside for someone who can,” they told Prime Minister Mickoski. “This is only the beginning of the end of injustice in this country.”
The March 16 fire at the Pulse nightclub shocked the nation and sparked widespread mourning. Authorities have yet to publish a final investigative report. Human rights groups have urged the government to ensure full transparency and accountability.