At least 11 individuals lost their lives in a tragic fire at a retirement home in Bosnian city of Tuzla, where witnesses described flames engulfing the upper floors of the building.
The blaze started on the seventh floor around 8:45 pm, causing over 30 injuries. Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat entity Prime Minister, Nermin Niksic, labeled the incident as a “disaster of enormous proportions.”
Video footage captured flames bursting from the building’s upper windows. Authorities plan to commence victim identification and launch a fire cause investigation once conditions permit, as stated by the police.
A resident named Ruza Kajic, residing on the third floor, recounted being awakened by a loud noise. She mentioned seeing burning debris falling and noticing bedridden individuals on the higher floors.
The retirement home issued a statement affirming that necessary measures are being taken to determine the circumstances leading to the tragic event.
Reports indicated that several patients suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, with three in critical condition at the Tuzla University clinical centre.
Expressing solidarity, Prime Minister of the Serb Republic, Savo Minic, conveyed readiness to offer assistance.
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