Macedonia is mourning the great tragedy that occurred in Kocani on Sunday morning, when a devastating fire engulfed the Pulse nightclub during a concert by the music group DNA. According to official data, 59 people died and 155 were injured.

Among the victims are members of "DNA" - the singer Andrei Gjorgieski, the backing vocals Sara Projkovska, the guitarist Andrej Kolarov, the drummer Gjorgji Gjorgjiev, the pianist Filip Stevanovski, the beatboxer Martin Atanasovski – Buco, the sinker Igor Velkov, as well as the group's official photographer Alexander Efremov.

Vladimir Blazev - Pancho, according to unofficial information, he was hospitalized, while for the backing vocalist Ana Kostadinovska no information.

One of the most influential music groups

"DNA" is one of the most famous and influential music groups, formed in 2002 by Vladimir Blazev - Pancho and Andrej Gjorgieski. With their distinctive sound, combining pop, R&B and hip-hop elements, "DNA" has become one of the favorite performers of the Macedonian audience.

Pancho and Andrej began their musical story with the song "Devojka za vjezden", and experienced their first real success with the hit "Blagodaram advoka" in 2004.

Over the years, they have released three successful albums – "Kajano e sè" (2010), "Srce" (2013) and "Ušte eden den" (2016), and the songs "Polna mjeseni", "Taa toa go krije", "Srce", "Što saka neka bide" and "Gore ili dolu" are just a small part of their numerous hits, which have become a significant part of Macedonian pop culture.

In 2011, DNA held their first major solo concert at the Metropolis Arena, and in 2017 they celebrated their 15th anniversary with another spectacular performance. At the end of 2022, Pancho and Andrej marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of DNA with a spectacular concert at the Boris Trajkovski Arena.

Great humanitarians

In addition to music, the members of "DNA" have always advocated for humanitarian causes. They have participated in numerous charity concerts, including actions to help children with rare diseases, families at social risk, and victims of natural disasters.

One of the most significant actions of Pancho and Andrej was when they raised 690.000 denars for the treatment of the young man. Leonid Ignov, who had an accident while on vacation in Greece.

Among the last humanitarian acts of "DNA" was their donation of 30.000 denars for the treatment of the 16-year-old Ana Radevska, who is battling a rare disease and is in serious health condition.

– Together with Ana, we sincerely ask you to be humane so that the whole process can be completed as soon as possible and Ana can be carefree again. As "DNA", we donated 30.000 denars (unfortunately, that's all we could do and that's all our budget allows), but we believe that each of you who is able, could call the phone numbers at least once and share the information so that we can raise the necessary funds – Pancho and Andrej announced on their Facebook page two months ago.

Last week, Pancho and Andrej visited the young Berk Limani from the Skopje neighborhood of Gjorce Petrov, who was helped with his most important needs and fully covered the cost of his sick mother's therapy. They also shared his difficult life story on social media and called on everyone who is able to make a donation.

– After yesterday's address by Berk Limani, whose "letter" touched our souls deeply, and we believe it touched many others as well, today we went directly to their house-room in which they unfortunately do not have the basic thing to function – ELECTRICITY. Berk and his mother Sevim live in the Gjorche Petrov neighborhood, on Bea Kule Street No. 1 A in (un)conditions that are not worthy of a normal life. We gave them what was most important to them at the moment (as much as we were able to), and we fully covered the cost of his sick mother's therapy. For starters, the most important thing is to settle the electricity bill, which amounts to 46.000 denars, so that their dilapidated home can light up again. By the way, while we talked, we sat illuminated by several candles, so we asked them what else other humane people who are able to donate and come forward could help them with – they wrote on Facebook.

Andrej, who tragically lost his life in the fire in Kocani, was known for always being ready to help. His selfless nature made him a favorite not only among his colleagues, but also among ordinary people. According to unofficial testimonies, Andrej initially managed to get out of the disco, but returned to "Pulse" to help those in danger, which is further confirmation of his immense humanity.

Last goodbye from colleagues

The news of the tragedy has caused immense sadness among Macedonian musicians and public figures. Social media is flooded with messages of sympathy and pain, while their friends and colleagues say goodbye to the deceased.

"Andrei, my heart is breaking into a hundred pieces, and my soul is shattered. Your grace and beauty did not fail even in the last moments before you left forever, saving other lives. I expected nothing less from you, knowing your humanity, but it didn't have to be like this," Kaliopi wrote.

Karolina Gocheva said goodbye to his colleagues with an emotional message.

"With a broken heart we say goodbye to our friends, colleagues, Andrej, Sara, Gjorgji, Aleksandar Kolarov, Aleksandar Efremov, Filip, Igor... They will continue to live in every song and every heart they have touched through their work. We are speechless with pain!"

Elena Risteska, deeply shaken, wrote a touching text on her Instagram profile.

"I can't stop crying. My soul hurts and is torn because of all this... I don't know if we will ever recover from this pain after you! All of Macedonia is crying and grieving! Please accept my condolences to all of you who have lost loved ones!"

И Tamara Todevska expressed his pain on social media.

"Today, our faithful colleagues, artists, unprecedented talents and very kind people left us. I have no words that can describe this pain and sadness. I am angry, furious, sad... disappointed. Great condolences to the families and loved ones of my colleagues, friends, to all the people who died in Kocani."

Many other public figures, including the presenter, paid their last respects. Mia Kostova, the actress Vesna Petrusevska, the singer Antonia Gigovska, the actor Igor Dzambazov, the singer Daniel Kajmakoski...