Grief-stricken town in North Macedonia prepares for burials as nightclub fire triggers protests

KOCANI, North Macedonia (AP) — Municipal workers in Kocani dug graves Tuesday for the dozens of young people killed in a nightclub fire as protests were held in cities across North Macedonia.

Authorities said the nightclub blaze in the eastern town early Sunday was caused by indoor use of pyrotechnics and numerous safety violations at the venue, killing 59 people and injuring more than 150 during a live concert.

The fire has sparked outrage over alleged bribery and corruption linked to the safety violations at the nightclub.

Crews used excavators to dig rows of graves in Kocani as the town awaits the burial of young residents whose remains are still being processed for identification.

”It’s very bad, very bad. I have been crying for three days," resident Dragi Ignjatov said. "Children of our friends are gone. It can’t be worse than this, for Macedonia and for our city.”

Late Tuesday, rallies were held in solidarity with the victims' families, with thousands gathering in the capital, Skopje, holding up candles and cell phone flashlights during the nighttime event.

Pensioner Zoran Jovanovski said he hoped the tragedy would trigger reforms to fight corruption. “The solution is very hard. There needs to be a change in mentality ... a different way to run this country," he said.

Government officials appealed for calm after some demonstrations a day earlier had turned violent. Protesters in Kocani overturned a van, hurled rocks at a municipal building, and smashed a cafeteria believed to have shared ownership with the nightclub.

Investigations have so far revealed that the club was operating at least double its 250-person capacity without proper licensing. Officials say the numerous safety violations included no emergency exits, insufficient fire equipment, the use of flammable cladding and no sprinkler system. Many victims were trampled as panicked concertgoers rushed toward a single exit.

Neighboring Serbia and Bulgaria, which immediately offered assistance following the tragedy, are observing a day of national mourning Tuesday in solidarity with North Macedonia.

Medical specialists from the Czech Republic, Serbia and Israel have arrived to support treatment efforts for the injured, Health Ministry officials said. The European Union is helping transport burn victims to nearby countries.

Around 50 patients are being treated in mostly neighboring and nearby countries, the majority of them with serious burns.

The disaster has intensified scrutiny of corruption in North Macedonia, which the EU has previously identified as a major obstacle to the country’s accession to the bloc. Authorities are investigating allegations that club owners bribed officials to bypass safety regulations.

The government has ordered nationwide inspections of all nightclubs and other entertainment venues.

In neighboring Greece, North Macedonia’s foreign affairs and health ministers visited a hospital where three burn victims, aged 19, 25 and 26, are being treated in intensive care.

Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski described the fire as “the most tragic moment in the history of my nation.”

Speaking to reporters in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, he added: “This is a moment that will most likely remain in our collective memory for our lifetimes. But what will also remain in our collective memory – and we must never forget – is the solidarity that we have received.”

Testorides reported from Skopje, North Macedonia. Associated Press writer Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece contributed to this report.

Thousands gather in protest for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Florent Bajrami)

University students stand still as they mourn the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

University students light candles for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

University students light candles for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Municipal workers use an empty coffin to measure the graves they are digging for the victims of a massive nightclub fire, in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

A worker digs graves for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

University students light candles for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Workers dig graves for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Priests perform a religious service during a vigil in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 following a massive fire in a nightclub early Sunday. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

People attend a vigil in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 following a massive fire in a nightclub early Sunday. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

A man lights candles during a vigil in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 following a massive fire in a nightclub early Sunday. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

A girl lights candles during a vigil in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 following a massive fire in a nightclub early Sunday. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Protesters hold placards as thousands gather in protest for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

A priests reads prayers during a vigil in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 following a massive fire in a nightclub early Sunday. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Thousands gather in protest for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

People light their mobile phones during a protest for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Protesters hold placards as thousands gather in protest for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

A protester holds her mobile phone as thousands gather for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

A vehicle is overturned by people protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

People argue with policemen, outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

People push a car on its side while protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

A policeman runs behind people heading to the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Residents gather in front of mayor's office during protest following a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Protesters hold placards during a protest following a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Protesters hold placards as they march during protest following a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

People push a car on its side while protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

People argue with policemen, outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

People argue with policemen, outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

People vandalize a vehicle outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

People push a car on its side while protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

People argue with policemen, outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

People confront police near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire, after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday called on the Republican-controlled Legislature to act on a broad array of his priorities in his final year in office, even if it means working for longer than they are scheduled to be in session.

Republicans are unlikely to follow Evers' call to action on many of the proposals he outlined in a letter, just a year after they rejected the same or similar ideas in his state budget. But Evers expressed optimism that bipartisan agreement is near on several issues, including protecting funding for SNAP, the country’s main food aid program, and combating water pollution caused by PFAS chemicals.

“We have a year left and it’s not all about me,” Evers, who opted against seeking a third term, told reporters on Monday. “All of the things that need to be addressed, many of them can be.”

Evers has served as the swing state's governor since 2019, helping Democrat Joe Biden narrowly win the state on the way to becoming president in 2020. President Donald Trump carried Wisconsin in 2024 and in 2016, both times by less than 1 percentage point.

Evers' term ends in a year, but he's focused on setting up his party to take back the legislative majority for the first time since they lost it in 2010.

Evers signed new district maps in 2024 that helped Democrats chip into Republican majorities in the Assembly and Senate. Democrats are also counting on anger toward Trump helping them in the midterm.

The Legislature is scheduled to be done with its session by mid-March, giving lawmakers more time to campaign for the fall election. The Assembly is planning to quit in mid-February. But Evers said Monday that there's still time to advance Democratic priorities.

“I think it’s bad politics to say we’re done in February, we’re done in March, and we’ll see you at the polls,” Evers said. “That doesn’t work. I don’t think it’s a good message. We have the opportunity to do some good things.”

Evers called for bipartisanship to tackle issues that have long been Democratic priorities, such as increasing public school funding, lowering health care costs and enacting gun control laws.

While many of his proposals are likely to be summarily rejected, Evers said Democrats and Republicans were close on reaching deals to release $125 million in funding to combat PFAS pollution. He also said both sides were close to an agreement that would put additional safeguards in place to ensure Wisconsin isn't penalized by the federal government for errors in who gets SNAP food assistance.

Evers called on lawmakers to spend $1.3 billion more on public schools in an effort to reduce property taxes, a month after homeowners across the state received higher tax bills. Republicans blame Evers because of a veto he issued that allows schools to increase spending limits for 400 years. But that is only one part of the complicated school aid formula. Evers and school officials have said funding from the state has not kept pace with expenses, forcing schools to ask voters to approve referendums for an increase in property taxes to make up the difference.

If schools aren't given more money, Evers said “we're in a world of hurt” because property taxes will only continue to increase.

Republican legislative leaders, in interviews with The Associated Press last month, did not express support for increasing general school aid funding.

“We have to have a bigger conversation about how we’re going to fund schools long term than just saying we’re gonna put more money to the same formula doing the same thing,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said.

Evers also urged the Legislature to make progress on his plan to close a 128-year-old prison in Green Bay as part of a larger overhaul of the correctional system. In October, the state building commission approved $15 million for planning. But once that is spent, absent further action, the work will stall, Evers said.

“We have to get this across the finish line,” he said.

Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers discusses his call on the Republican-controlled Legislature to act on a broad array of his priorities in his final year in office on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)

Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers discusses his call on the Republican-controlled Legislature to act on a broad array of his priorities in his final year in office on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)