A fire broke out early Monday at a retirement home on the outskirts of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, killing no fewer than eight people and injuring seven.
Luka Causic, a police officer overseeing the emergency response, stated that there were around 30 people inside when the inferno broke out at 3:30 am (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 disclosed that at least six people had died.
“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Starovic stated, 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.
Those who suffered various degrees of injuries were being treated at the Belgrade Military Hospital.
According to Causic, despite the facility’s isolated location, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire fast.
