Here’s a rewritten version of your article with improved clarity and flow:
15 Arrested After Devastating Nightclub Fire in North Macedonia Kills 59
Authorities in North Macedonia have detained 15 people following a tragic nightclub fire that claimed at least 59 lives, officials confirmed.
The fire broke out at approximately 2:30 AM local time on Sunday at the Pulse club in Kocani, where around 500 people had gathered for a concert by DNK, a well-known hip-hop duo. Among the band members, only one survived and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. In total, 155 people were injured in the incident.
Interior Minister Pance Toskovski announced that those detained will be questioned, stating that there are “grounds for suspicion of bribery and corruption” linked to the tragedy. He also revealed that the venue was operating without a legal license.
An Unsafe Venue with Limited Exits
The Pulse club, located roughly 100km (60 miles) east of the capital, Skopje, had been described by local media as an “improvised nightclub,” previously serving as a carpet warehouse.
Biljana Arsovska, a spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office, highlighted significant safety violations. “There was only one efficient exit, as the venue’s back door was locked and unusable,” she said. Initial inspections also revealed multiple safety failures, including deficiencies in the fire-extinguishing system and emergency lighting.
Early reports suggest the fire was sparked by pyrotechnic devices, which ignited the ceiling—made of highly flammable material—causing the flames to spread rapidly.
Chaos and Desperation as Fire Spreads
Video footage from the event, verified by the BBC, shows the band performing as two flares ignite, followed by sparks that set the ceiling ablaze. The flames quickly escalated, yet some attendees initially remained in place, watching efforts to extinguish the fire rather than evacuating immediately.
Panic erupted due to the club’s single entry and exit point. Marija Taseva, 20, described the harrowing experience of being caught in a crush as people rushed to escape. “I fell to the ground and was trampled, but somehow I managed to get out,” she told Reuters. Tragically, her 25-year-old sister did not survive.
Red Cross volunteer Mustafa Saidov described the aftermath as “brutal and chaotic,” noting that most victims were young, between 18 and 20 years old. Officials confirmed that over 20 of the injured and three of the deceased were under 18.
Dr. Vladislav Gruev, a specialist in reconstructive and plastic surgery at the University Clinic for Surgical Diseases in Skopje, said many patients arrived with severe burns. “They have second and third-degree burns on the head, neck, and upper torso,” he said. Kocani’s hospital director added that medical staff initially struggled to identify victims due to a lack of ID cards. Eighteen patients remain in critical condition.
National Mourning and Investigation
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called it a “difficult and deeply sad day” for the country, mourning the loss of so many young lives. The government has declared seven days of national mourning and is holding emergency meetings to investigate the cause of the disaster.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova expressed her shock and grief. “Your immense pain is mine too,” she said in a statement. She emphasized the need for stricter safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The most critically injured are being transferred to specialized clinics in Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, and Turkey for treatment.
European leaders have extended their condolences, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirming that the EU “stands in solidarity with the people of North Macedonia.” Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called it “a tragedy of immense magnitude,” warning that the death toll may rise as severely injured victims fight for survival.
This version keeps all the critical details intact while improving readability and impact. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!