Skopje protesters demand justice and expert government after nightclub tragedy

Thousands gathered in North Macedonia’s capital on Tuesday (29 April) for the “March for the Angels,” a protest organised by families of the 59 victims of the 16 March Pulse nightclub fire in Kočani.

The demonstrators, joined by citizens decrying systemic corruption and incompetence, demanded accountability and the formation of an expert government to address the failures that led to the nation’s deadliest fire. Banners reading “The fire took the bodies, the system killed the souls” and “We do not die from accidents, but from corruption!” captured the crowd’s anguish and resolve.

The protest began outside the Public Prosecutor’s Office, where families and supporters called for the resignations of current and former officials, including ministers, prosecutors, and mayors, accused of enabling the tragedy through negligence and corruption.

“You are usurpers, you are not the state, we are the state,” declared Vladimir Apostolov, a grieving father who lost his child in the fire, speaking on behalf of the families. In an emotional address, he listed officials he believes should face arrest, including former and current interior and economy ministers, the director of the State Market Inspectorate, and Kočani’s mayors. “They don’t know who to arrest? I have a list of the most guilty,” Apostolov said, naming prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski and former chief prosecutor Lyubomir Jovevski among others.

The Kočani fire, which erupted during a concert by the hip-hop duo DNK, was caused by pyrotechnics igniting a flammable ceiling in an overcrowded, unlicensed venue—a converted carpet warehouse with a single, locked emergency exit. Investigations revealed multiple safety violations, including the absence of fire alarms, sprinklers, and adequate fire extinguishers. Authorities have arrested 20 individuals, including the nightclub owner and government officials, with Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski citing “bribery and corruption” in the falsified licensing process.

The procession moved from the prosecutor’s office to the Parliament, where protesters urged lawmakers to address their demands. “We pay you thousands of euros to commit crimes,” Apostolov charged, reflecting widespread frustration with a system protesters blame for prioritizing profit over safety. The crowd’s call for an expert government—independent of political affiliations—echoes earlier demonstrations, including a march a week organized by the citizens’ initiative “Who’s Next?” that drew 10,000 people in Skopje.

The tragedy has galvanised North Macedonia, a nation of 1.8 million already grappling with economic challenges and stalled EU accession talks. Nationwide protests since March have targeted corruption, with students, families, and civic groups rallying in cities like Strumica, Bitola, and Ohrid. On 18 March, thousands observed 16 minutes of silence in Skopje to honor the victims, many of whom were teenagers. The government declared seven days of mourning and ordered inspections of entertainment venues, shuttering dozens found operating illegally.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has vowed justice, stating, “Regardless of who they are, from which institution, from what party, those responsible will face consequences.”

However, public trust remains low. Angela Zumbakova, a 19-year-old student, told AFP, “This is not an accident but literally direct murder due to all the breaches in the state.”

The EU, which activated its Civil Defense Mechanism to evacuate burn victims to hospitals in Belgium, Hungary, and other member states, has expressed solidarity. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who visited Serbia this week, previously called the Kočani fire a “tragic loss of too many young people.” Yet, protesters remain sceptical of external support, focusing their demands on systemic reform at home.

As the “March for the Angels” concluded peacefully, organizers vowed to continue their fight. “The system is next,” read one banner, signaling that the movement seeks not only justice for Kočani’s victims but a fundamental overhaul of North Macedonia’s governance. With funerals held in April and investigations ongoing, the nation remains united in grief and determined to prevent future tragedies.