Monitor this situation.

Unsubscribe anytime.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

9 clusters · 29 sources · 20 days · First seen 25 days ago · Last updated 5 days ago

Pulse nightclub fire trial in North Macedonia

Overview

Legal proceedings continue at the Skopje Basic Criminal Court regarding the fatal fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani on March 16, 2025, which resulted in 63 deaths and over 200 injuries. The trial has entered a critical phase involving the cross-examination of construction experts who prepared the prosecution’s technical reports.

Defense attorneys have challenged the expert team led by Professor Goran Markovski, questioning his specific specialization in fire protection and the lack of physical material samples. During testimony, Markovski addressed the presence of polyurethane foam used for acoustic insulation in the ceiling; he noted that while no physical remnants remained because the material was “completely consumed by the fire,” the conclusion was supported by photo documentation and engravings. He also testified that gypsum board partition walls met necessary fire resistance requirements.

In recent testimony, Markovski stated that the nightclub’s safety was directly compromised by illegal repurposing, spatial reorganization, and improper modifications to electrical, water, and sewage systems. He noted that the building was officially approved for light industry use rather than as a hospitality venue. Markovski further testified that while construction inspectors had the legal authority and obligation to close the facility due to a lack of proper documentation and project approval, no such action was taken until after the fire occurred.

The defense’s questioning focuses on the building’s repurposing for hospitality, compliance with urban plans, licensing, and the oversight responsibilities of municipal building inspectors. The defendants include facility owner Grozdan Milkovski and municipal building inspectors Ogjen Georgiev and Nikolcho Kocev. The case is presided over by Judge Dijana Gruevska-Ilievska and is being prosecuted by a team of 15 public prosecutors. Currently, 34 individuals face charges in connection with the incident.

Entities

Goran Markovski · Pulse nightclub · Kočani · Dijana Gruevska-Ilievska · Skopje Basic Criminal Court

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] All construction interventions in the Pulse nightclub were carried out illegally, without project documentation, professional supervision, or approval from competent institutions.
[● 5 SOURCES] The repurposing of the building from a warehouse to a catering facility significantly increased the load on the structure and directly affected safety.
[● 5 SOURCES] The attic was constructed using glass wool, gypsum boards, and polyurethane sponge, a material that burned completely in the fire.
[● 3 SOURCES] The object could not be categorized as a cabaret, but rather as a disco club based on its characteristics.
[● 3 SOURCES] The building's surface area was approximately 472 square meters, which is significant for determining its category.
[● 3 SOURCES] The fire at the Pulse nightclub occurred on March 16, 2025, during a DNA band performance. skopskoeho.mk · nezavisen.mk · vecer.mk
[● 3 SOURCES] The nightclub fire resulted in 63 deaths and over 200 injuries. skopskoeho.mk · nezavisen.mk · vecer.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] According to the urban planning documentation of Kočani, the repurposing of the site from an industrial object to a catering facility is not permitted.
[● 2 SOURCES] Gypsum-board partitions and doors were installed that represented a direct obstacle to evacuation.
[● 2 SOURCES] The court postponed the hearing to allow for a numerical presentation of photographic evidence following a defense objection.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities failed to react to illegal construction interventions until after the fire occurred. vecer.mk

Timeline

5 days ago

[CRIME] 9 sources
Pulse nightclub fire trial: Experts cite illegal repurposing
The trial for the Pulse nightclub fire in Kočani continues, with experts testifying that illegal construction and improper facility repurposing directly compromised safety, leading to 63 deaths.
12 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Pulse nightclub fire trial focuses on building repurposing legality
Expert testimony in the Pulse nightclub fire trial in Kočani highlights that owners are legally responsible for building repurposing, following a tragedy that killed 63 people.
12 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Puls case: Expert testifies on fire causes and building failures
An expert testified in the ‘Puls’ case that the building's 2012 condition did not cause the 2025 fire, citing various technical and regulatory failures.
12 days ago

[CRIME] 6 sources
Pulse nightclub fire trial continues in Skopje
The trial for the Pulse nightclub fire in Kočani, which killed 63 people, continues in Skopje as experts testify about the use of flammable polyurethane foam and structural reinforcements.
15 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Puls nightclub fire trial: Prosecution concludes witness phase
The prosecution has finished its witness phase in the Puls nightclub fire trial in Kochan, involving 35 defendants and focusing on institutional and individual accountability.
17 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Puls nightclub fire trial: Expert identifies polyurethane foam in ceiling
Expert testimony in the Puls nightclub fire trial in Kočan indicates polyurethane foam was present in the ceiling, contributing to the blaze, despite being entirely consumed by the fire.
20 days ago

[CRIME] 7 sources
Pulse nightclub trial: Experts reveal illegal construction and safety violations
Expert testimony in the Pulse nightclub fire trial reveals that the Kočani facility underwent illegal reconstruction and improper repurposing, featuring flammable materials and obstructed evacuation routes.
25 days ago

[CRIME] 3 sources
Kočani nightclub trial: Experts testify Pulse venue operated illegally
In the trial for the Kočani Pulse nightclub fire, experts testified that the venue was illegally operating in an industrial zone not designated for hospitality or nightclubs.
25 days ago

[CRIME] 3 sources
Pulse nightclub fire trial continues with forensic testimony
Forensic experts testified in the Pulse nightclub fire trial that the venue lacked all fire safety measures, had no evacuation exits, and was dangerously overcrowded, contributing to 63 deaths.

Sources

360stepeni.mk · a1on.mk · almakos.com · beta.rs · brif.mk · danas.rs · denesen.mk · koha.mk · libertas.mk · lider.mk · nezavisen.mk · novamakedonija.com.mk · novasloboda.ba · ohridsky.com · press24.mk · racin.mk · republika.mk · skopjeinfo.mk · skopskoeho.mk · tetovasot.com · ts.mk · tv21.tv · utrinskivesnik.mk · utro.mk · vecer.mk · vesnik.com · vijesti.ba · vreme.mk · zhurnal.mk

This summary has been updated 10 times: see revision history