Latest news with #DNK
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken families of the 62 victims burnt to death in horror inferno at North Macedonia nightclub demand justice - as 5,000 take to the streets with photos of loved ones lost in blaze
The heartbroken families of the 62 victims burnt to death in a horror inferno at a North Macedonia nightclub took to the streets on Saturday evening to demand justice. They were part of an estimated 5,000-strong crowd who marched through the streets of Kocani, a town 100 kilometres east of the country's capital Skopje. Relatives and parents of the Pulse nightclub fire victims held aloft photographs of their loved ones who perished in the blaze as their protested 'selective justice'. The fire broke out in the early hours of March 16 this year as hundreds of people gathered to watch a performance by popular hip-hop duo DNK. The blaze claimed the lives of 62 people and leaving over 200 injured. The concert began around midnight and the fire started at approximately 3am local time. Photographs and footage taken on the night showed huge flames engulfing the nightclub, with large plumes of smoke billowing into the air. Clips from inside the venue showed the use of two pyrotechnics during the performance, known as stage jets - a type of indoor fireworks used during concerts. Andrej Gjorgieski, the lead singer of the DNK, selflessly rushed back into open flames to save several of his young fans after his band performed at the venue just hours before. Footage shared on social media showed chaos inside the club as the roof was engulfed by flames. Speaking to The Independent, Andrej's manager Spasoski said that the singer could have escaped the fire but chose to turn around to help others. 'I have never met such a good and humble person in my life', he said. Fans have praised the singer on social media for his heroic act. One wrote: 'To run back into an inferno not once but twice to save as many as you could… Heroic isn't enough. 'Andrej your vocals and lyrics will live on forever but it is your humanitarianism and selflessness until the very end that is an example to us all. Rest in Peace'.
Buzz Feed
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
Europeans Are Sharing Current Events That Americans Might Not Know About Right Now, And It's Illuminating To Step Outside Our US Bubble For A Second
Hot Topic 🔥 Full coverage and conversation on Politics With so much focus on domestic news, it's easy to forget how much is unfolding around the world. So to remind us of the broader global picture, u/SprinklesNo164 asked Europeans to shed some light on the biggest current events that many Americans might not be aware of, providing a glimpse into the issues shaping Europe today. 1. "Serbia has been protesting for more than four months after the roof of a railway station in Novi Sad collapsed on November 1, killing 16 people. Students have barricaded universities around the country, and schools have not been operating during this time. They have also walked for miles to protest in different cities to spread the word and connect with people. They say they will not stop until their demands for justice and systemic change are met. Professors and schoolteachers who support them have stopped receiving pay. The government used an acoustic sound weapon on protesters a week ago but continues to deny it. Direct democracy is on the rise among the people, but dictatorship is growing within the government." 3. "Turkey. Erdogan locked up his opponent, and people have been taking to the streets." 4. "Well, for the Americans who don't know: Conor McGregor is almost certainly guilty of rape and almost certainly plans to run for president of Ireland. Luckily, that's just a ceremonial job, but Christ on a bike, we do not want him having the slightest modicum of power on the world stage. I say all this because someone on your side of the pond elected to bring the cunt to the White House." 5. "Germany is relaxing its debt break to enable major investment in defense spending and infrastructure." — u/WickhamMoriarty 6. "I suspect many Americans are unaware that ICE has been detaining tourists from countries such as Canada, France and Germany for indefinite periods, often without access to a lawyer and in poor conditions." "I was asked by a group of Americans at my job whether I'd ever visit the United States, and when I brought up the story about ICE as the reason I wouldn't, they all seemed shocked to learn about it. There were eight people in the group." — u/Mr_Black90 7. "Another Pulse nightclub-level tragedy that didn't reach most American news outlets: On March 16, 2025, a fire at a DNK concert in Macedonia killed at least 59 people, including the entire band except for one member. The fire was caused by pyrotechnics. It is the deadliest nightclub fire in Europe since the 2015 Bucharest nightclub fire and the deadliest fire in North Macedonia's history." 8. "Tesla's European sales have dropped 45% amid disquiet over Musk's Trump links." TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP via Getty Images 9. "There is now an €840 billion plan underway to rearm Europe, effectively making it a superpower and bringing the era of American dominance to an end." "Let me clarify my position: This is a terrible thing that is happening. If you're working class, you'll be the one who suffers in the upcoming wars. Trump is foolish for squandering American power in Europe, but he appears to be doing so in preparation for grabbing mineral-rich territories that big tech companies need. All the bourgeois powers will soon be doing some version of this, because capital must constantly expand or collapse." — u/Burger_Doctor 10. "In France, the prime minister has lied about his knowledge — and cover-up — of a violence and pedophilia scandal at a private Catholic school." 11. "Let's not forget the IF Metall strike against Tesla in Sweden, which began on October 27, 2023, and has become one of the longest labor conflicts in Swedish history. The strike began because Tesla refuses to sign a collective agreement with the union, challenging the Swedish labor model, in which approximately 90% of the workforce is covered by collective agreements." — u/Mjauritz 12. "The leader of the Serb-majority region of Bosnia is defying arrest, violating the constitution, and threatening to raise an army. He's a separatist. The arrest warrant for him has not been executed because local police in his region would likely protect him. He has also been sentenced to jail and banned from politics, but he remains in power." 13. "Australia is about to have an election in the next month, and it's literally a Republican vs. Democrat election round 2: Electric Boogaloo. Our conservative (called the Liberal) party has started using Trumpist rhetoric in its press conferences, while our liberal/left (called Labor) party is promising an increase in healthcare funding. The polls are so tight that there's a massive chance of a hung parliament due to independents and the Greens." "I'm saying Australia counts because of Eurovision."
The Independent
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
British-Macedonian teenager says ‘it could have been me' at club blaze vigil
A British-Macedonian teenager who was out clubbing the night of a deadly nightclub fire has described his mother ringing him 'frantically' and thinking 'it could have been me'. The fire broke out at Club Pulse in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, in the early hours of last Sunday during a DNK concert, who are a popular hip-hop duo in the country. Mourners gathered to pay their respects at a vigil on Sunday at the North Macedonian embassy in London, laying flowers and holding signs reading 'Kocani in our hearts' and signing a book of condolences. The fire tore through the nightclub leaving 59 people dead, including all but one of the band members, and 155 injured from burns, smoke inhalation and being trampled amid a bid to escape towards the building's single exit. People as young as 16 were among the casualties and the nation declared seven days of mourning. Bobby Shafier, 18, whose family is from the capital city Skopje, laid flowers in front of the embassy and told the PA news agency: 'I was actually in Macedonia when it happened. I was out clubbing the night before and I posted it on my Instagram story. 'I woke up to my family calling me, because my mum, who is Macedonian, had found out from a friend and she phoned me quite frantically, very worried. 'The day after it happened I went past the hospital and it was full of people. Thankfully, I did not know anyone who was there but my friends knew people and we went to exchange stories of people they knew. 'I had just gone for the weekend to see my family. The fact that I saw people in the hospital… It really got to me.' Mr Shafier, who had been out at a separate nightclub in the country, said it had been a 'horrible moment thinking 'that could have been me''. At 1.30pm, the gathering held a minute's silence and Zaneta Skerlev, a former journalist for the BBC world service, gave a speech saying the Macedonian people are 'not just united in grief but united in purpose'. Ms Skerlev told the PA news agency: 'There is anger and there is sadness. In Macedonia, everybody knows everybody and is within two degrees of separation of one another.' Ms Skerlev and Bojana Reiner, 46, from Skopje, who knew the lead singer of the band, compared the tragedy to the Grenfell Tower fire and blamed the disaster on a lack of government regulation in the country. Vida Milovanovic, an older lady from Skopje, whose friend knew a husband and wife who died in the disaster, leaving behind two orphaned children, said it was time for the government to 'regulate and issue proper licenses', adding: 'The sadness is beyond words.' Barbara Irakoska, 35, also from Skopje, who has friends who knew people who died, said: 'The whole thing is traumatic. It will last for a lifetime. Not just for the families, but for every young person in Macedonia who will have a huge trauma after this event.' The North Macedonian ambassador to the UK, Katerina Stavreska, who did not organise the vigil but came to show her support, told PA: 'It is a sad loss because it is a very small city, about 25,000 people. When they are having a wedding, the whole city is attending. 'It is a tragic loss for the whole country. With globalisation, we are suffering a brain drain and now to lose 60 young lives in just an hour is truly a sad loss. 'This is the way we are expressing our solidarity, which is in the blood of Macedonian people.'
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
British-Macedonian teenager says ‘it could have been me' at club blaze vigil
A British-Macedonian teenager who was out clubbing the night of a deadly nightclub fire has described his mother ringing him 'frantically' and thinking 'it could have been me'. The fire broke out at Club Pulse in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, in the early hours of last Sunday during a DNK concert, who are a popular hip-hop duo in the country. Mourners gathered to pay their respects at a vigil on Sunday at the North Macedonian embassy in London, laying flowers and holding signs reading 'Kocani in our hearts' and signing a book of condolences. The fire tore through the nightclub leaving 59 people dead, including all but one of the band members, and 155 injured from burns, smoke inhalation and being trampled amid a bid to escape towards the building's single exit. People as young as 16 were among the casualties and the nation declared seven days of mourning. Bobby Shafier, 18, whose family is from the capital city Skopje, laid flowers in front of the embassy and told the PA news agency: 'I was actually in Macedonia when it happened. I was out clubbing the night before and I posted it on my Instagram story. 'I woke up to my family calling me, because my mum, who is Macedonian, had found out from a friend and she phoned me quite frantically, very worried. 'The day after it happened I went past the hospital and it was full of people. Thankfully, I did not know anyone who was there but my friends knew people and we went to exchange stories of people they knew. 'I had just gone for the weekend to see my family. The fact that I saw people in the hospital… It really got to me.' Mr Shafier, who had been out at a separate nightclub in the country, said it had been a 'horrible moment thinking 'that could have been me''. At 1.30pm, the gathering held a minute's silence and Zaneta Skerlev, a former journalist for the BBC world service, gave a speech saying the Macedonian people are 'not just united in grief but united in purpose'. Ms Skerlev told the PA news agency: 'There is anger and there is sadness. In Macedonia, everybody knows everybody and is within two degrees of separation of one another.' Ms Skerlev and Bojana Reiner, 46, from Skopje, who knew the lead singer of the band, compared the tragedy to the Grenfell Tower fire and blamed the disaster on a lack of government regulation in the country. Vida Milovanovic, an older lady from Skopje, whose friend knew a husband and wife who died in the disaster, leaving behind two orphaned children, said it was time for the government to 'regulate and issue proper licenses', adding: 'The sadness is beyond words.' Barbara Irakoska, 35, also from Skopje, who has friends who knew people who died, said: 'The whole thing is traumatic. It will last for a lifetime. Not just for the families, but for every young person in Macedonia who will have a huge trauma after this event.' The North Macedonian ambassador to the UK, Katerina Stavreska, who did not organise the vigil but came to show her support, told PA: 'It is a sad loss because it is a very small city, about 25,000 people. When they are having a wedding, the whole city is attending. 'It is a tragic loss for the whole country. With globalisation, we are suffering a brain drain and now to lose 60 young lives in just an hour is truly a sad loss. 'This is the way we are expressing our solidarity, which is in the blood of Macedonian people.'
Al Jazeera
20-03-2025
- Al Jazeera
Thousands mourn victims of North Macedonia nightclub fire
Thousands of mourners have flocked to funerals in North Macedonia for the dozens of victims of last weekend's devastating nightclub fire. The fire broke out during a concert by the hip-hop duo DNK at the Pulse nightclub in the town of Kocani about 3am (02:00 GMT) on Sunday when sparks from flares set the ceiling alight. At least 59 people were killed and 155 were injured in the fire, triggering an outpouring of grief in the Balkan country. Burials were held in several cities and towns, but the main funeral was in Kocani, a town of about 25,000 people located 100km (62 miles) east of the capital Skopje, where 30 of the victims were buried. Thousands of mourners walked solemnly along dirt paths to newly dug graves marked with paper signs. Many carried baskets of white flowers or clutched photographs of their loved ones. Many wore T-shirts and badges with pictures and names of the deceased. Several people overcome by grief required medical attention. A weeping man rested his head on the edge of one of the coffins. Ana Kostadinovska, a backing vocalist for the band DNA, who survived the fire, wrote in an online post: 'A part of my second family has left. Along with them, my soul. 'All that remains is ashes and emptiness … and who would have thought that emptiness could hurt so much,' she wrote. The fire, and emerging stories of the harrowing scenes at the nightclub, have triggered an outpouring of grief and protests, led mostly by young people. Thursday's religious service at the cemetery in Kocani was led by clergy from the country's Orthodox Church, while Red Cross and emergency personnel were present to support grieving families. Before the funerals, the country's spiritual leader, Orthodox Archbishop Stefan, called for national unity in prayer for the victims and their families. 'We pray constantly for the salvation of the innocent victims, holding memorial services for the deceased and offering prayers for the healing of the injured, as well as for the comfort of their families and loved ones,' he said. 'National solidarity and unity are most needed in such difficult times,' he added. 'We call on all the faithful to preserve peace within ourselves and peace among ourselves, and, praying diligently, to mourn with dignity.' Stefan presided over the Kocani funerals. Separate funeral services took place in the capital, Skopje, and five other towns – several neighbouring Kocani – where many businesses closed as a sign of respect. Public tributes were also made for Ile Gocevski, a Kocani ambulance driver who died of apparent heart failure after completing 11 hospital runs on the night of the fire. The investigation into the tragedy continues to widen. Seven police officers are among more than 20 people detained as authorities probe the lack of fire safety measures at the Pulse nightclub, as well as allegations that the club's permits had been obtained illegally. Health Minister Arben Taravari said 72 people remain hospitalised across the country, while 101 patients are receiving treatment abroad. He described the condition of those being treated for burns, smoke inhalation, and trampling injuries as 'stable or improved', easing earlier concerns that the death toll could rise further. The ministry on Thursday released the names of the 59 victims. They included 41 who were in their 20s or younger and three 17-year-olds.
