A fire erupted early Monday at a retirement home on the outskirts of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, resulting in the deaths of eight people and leaving seven others injured.
Luka Causic, a police officer managing the emergency response, reported that approximately 30 people were inside when the fire started at 3:30 am local time (02:30 GMT).
“Unfortunately, eight individuals lost their lives in the fire. I must say that members of the emergency response sector reacted very promptly and successfully rescued, or rather evacuated, 13 people,” Labour Minister Nemanja Starovic told local media.
Earlier, rescue officials said at least six people had died.
“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Starovic said, adding that an investigation had been launched.
“I believe that the competent prosecutor’s office will provide official information very soon, during the day,” he added.
The injured were being treated at the Belgrade Military Hospital.
Causic said the blaze was extinguished by firefighters who acted quickly despite the facility’s location in a remote area.
