Marija Taseva and her sister were in North Macedonia’s ‘Pulse’ nightclub when a fire ripped through the packed venue on March 16, 2025.

Taseva tried to escape but fell to the ground and people trod over her, leaving her with an injury on her cheek. In the rush, she lost contact with her sister, who she says has been killed.

“My sister died. I was saved and she wasn’t,” she said while sitting outside Kocani’s local hospital.

The fire has so far killed 59 people and injured more than 100, after sparks ignited the roof over a live band.

Arrest warrants have been issued for four people in connection with the fire, interior minister Pance Toskovski said.

(Production: Fedja Grulovic, Seham Eloraby)