Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The tragedy in Kočani

Bulgaria declares National Day of Mourning in memory of the victims of Kocani nightclub fire

Photo: BTA

March 18, 2025 has been declared a National Day of Mourning in memory of the young people who died in the tragic fire in a nightclub in the town of Kočani, Republic of North Macedonia. The decision to this effect was made yesterday by the Bulgarian Council of Ministers.
The Bulgarian Government expresses its condolences to the relatives of the deceased, and in their memory, the national flags of state institutions will be lowered throughout the day.

Last night, in the Sofia-based Saint Nedelya Cathedral, His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil served a requiem prayer for those who died in the tragic incident in Kocani. The service was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to Bulgaria Agneza Rusi.

After the liturgy, a consecration of oil was served for the healing of the victims.

"Your Excellency, brothers and sisters, we mourn together with the people of North Macedonia in these days of mourning for the loss of all the people who died in Kocani. We pray for the repose of their souls and express our sincere and deepest condolences for the misfortune that has befallen you. Also for God's help and support to all those who survived this tragedy, but are infirm, suffering from burns," said Patriarch Daniil.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A student at the American University in Bulgaria is among the victims of the Kočani fire

Stefanija Alexova, a sophomore at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), is one of the victims of the Kočani fire. She was born in the Macedonian town, which became the scene of the tragedy where 59 people lost their lives and 155 were injured...

published on 3/17/25 10:35 AM
 Pirogov Emergency Hospital Director Valentin Dimitrov

Kočani fire victims admitted in Bulgarian hospitals are in serious condition

Fourteen people injured in the nightclub fire in the Macedonian town of Kočani have been admitted for treatment in Bulgaria, Pirogov Emergency Hospital Director Dr. Valentin Dimitrov announced at a briefing. Eight of them are in the intensive..

published on 3/17/25 8:55 AM
St Ivan Rilski State Psychiatric Hospital

Mental health professionals launch a three-day nationwide protest

Three days of protests demanding better working conditions are to begin today in psychiatric hospitals and wards across the country. According to Dr Tsveteslava Galabova, head of the St Ivan Rilski State Psychiatric Hospital, psychiatric care is on..

published on 3/17/25 7:30 AM