Trial over the “Pulse” fire continues today with testimony from construction experts

The next hearing on the tragic fire at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kočani will be held today in the “Idrizovo” courtroom, where the building assessment of the “Pulse” facility will be examined and the experts who prepared it will testify. The fire claimed the lives of 63 people, while more than 200 others were injured.

At the previous hearing, court expert and professor at UKIM’s Faculty of Civil Engineering Goran Markovski stated that the expert report had clearly identified the complete failure of the system, including institutions and individuals, at the “Pulse” facility. At the time the assessment was prepared, Markovski also served as dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering.

According to his testimony, the relevant standards, regulations and procedures had not been followed in this case.

Following the experts’ testimony, the Prosecution is expected to conclude the presentation of its evidence.

The trial is presided over by Judge Dijana Gruevska-Ilievska, while the prosecution is represented by a team of 15 public prosecutors.

The incident occurred on March 16, 2025, during a performance by the band DNA. The fire at the “Pulse” nightclub killed 63 people and injured more than 200 others, ranking among the most serious tragedies in the country’s recent history.