A beloved North Macedonian rapper, who bravely ran back into a blazing nightclub to rescue his fans, has been hailed as a hero, according to his manager.
On Sunday, a tragic fire engulfed Club Pulse in Kocani, claiming the lives of 59 people.
Andrej Gjorgieski, lead singer of the popular Macedonian hip-hop group DNK, heroically re-entered the inferno to save several young fans after his band’s performance at the venue just hours earlier.
Footage shared on social media captured the chaos inside the club as flames consumed the roof.
In an interview with The Independent, Andrej’s manager, Spasoski, revealed that the singer could have escaped the fire but chose to turn back to help others.
“I’ve never met such a good and humble person in my life,” he said.
Fans have since taken to social media to honor the singer’s bravery.
One fan wrote: “To run back into an inferno not once, but twice, to save as many as you could… Heroic doesn’t even begin to describe it. Andrej, your vocals and lyrics will live on forever, but it’s your humanitarianism and selflessness until the very end that sets an example for us all. Rest in peace.”
On Sunday, 59 people lost their lives when a devastating inferno broke out at Club Pulse in the city of Kocani.
Another fan wrote: “You, like a TRUE HERO, gave your life saving young lives. Rest in peace.”
The tragic fire also claimed the lives of the band’s photographer Aleksandar Efremov, backing singer Sara Projkovska, drummer Gjorgji Gjorgiev, and keyboard player Filip Stevanovski. One surviving band member is reported to be in the hospital.
North Macedonia is mourning the loss of dozens of young lives in Sunday’s nightclub inferno, while also working to hold those responsible accountable and prevent future tragedies.
Authorities have arrested 20 people in connection with the blaze, including government officials and the club’s manager.
Investigations are underway into allegations of bribery linked to the fire, as the nightclub was packed beyond its capacity with young revelers.
On Monday, Kocani’s mayor resigned amid the growing scandal.
The fire ravaged the overcrowded Club Pulse during a live concert, injuring more than 150 people from burns, smoke inhalation, and the panic-induced stampede toward the club’s single exit.
Footage showed pyrotechnics on stage hitting the ceiling, sparking the fire as the band performed.
Bribery to bypass licensing and safety regulations is common in North Macedonia, a practice that has drawn concern from Western governments.
Firefighters and police officers examine the nightclub in Kocani, a town located approximately 100 kilometers east of the capital, Skopje, where a fire erupted.
People mourn during a protest after the deadly fire at Pulse nightclub, which claimed dozens of lives.
People clash with police outside the home of the owner of the nightclub where the devastating fire occurred.
Protesters react during a demonstration in Kocani on March 17, 2025, a day after a fire ripped through an overcrowded nightclub filled mostly with young people in North Macedonia, claiming the lives of 59 revellers.
Protesters hold portraits of the victims as they react during a demonstration in the town of Kocani on March 17, 2025.
Around 150 people were injured in the deadly fire.
The European Union has consistently raised concerns over widespread corruption in the country, citing it as a significant barrier to the nation’s path to EU membership.
On Monday, silent protests against corruption took place in Kocani, with thousands of local residents participating, along with university students who gathered separately in Skopje.
“Justice is expected, that is what we all expect, so that such situations do not happen again,” said Stavre Janev during the Kocani protest.
The tragedy on Sunday, the latest in a series of deadly nightclub fires worldwide, has deeply shaken this nation of 2 million people, where tight-knit family bonds made the disaster feel personal for many.
The victims included clubgoers as young as 16, and the country has declared seven days of mourning.
“We are all in shock, and I am personally shocked: as a mother, as a person, as president,” said North Macedonian President Gordana Davkova Siljanovska in her address to the nation on Sunday night.
Authorities are investigating allegations of bribery related to the nightclub fire.
Following the fire, the government of North Macedonia ordered a comprehensive three-day inspection of all nightclubs.
Protesters smash the windows of a pub they claim belongs to the owner of the Pulse nightclub.
The government of North Macedonia has ordered a thorough three-day inspection of all nightclubs and cabarets across the country, beginning on Monday.
State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski reported that a preliminary inspection of the Pulse nightclub revealed several safety code violations, including a lack of emergency exits, inadequate fire extinguishers, and improper access for emergency vehicles.
The fire led to the partial collapse of the roof of the single-story building, exposing the charred remains of wooden beams and debris.
