Eight die, seven injured in Serbian retirement home fire

Monday, 20 January 2025 12:53

By Reuters

Eight people died and seven were injured in a fire at a nursing home outside Belgrade on Monday which authorities said was caused by arson, Serbian state TV RTS reported.

The fire started at 3.30 a.m. (0230 GMT) with 30 people in the home, RTS reported, quoting the head of the government's department for emergency situations, Luka Causevic.

The fire was put out quickly and all the injured were taken to hospitals in Belgrade. One woman is in a serious condition and on a ventilator, RTS reported.

The prosecutors office said the fire was caused by one of the residents of the nursing home who was among those who died.

A detailed statement will be released later on Monday.

"There are indications that this tragedy was caused by criminal activity of one individual," Nemanja Starovic, the Minister for labour, employment and social issues, told RTS.

More from International News

Britain pushes allies to boost Ukraine support as Zelenskyy lands in London

Britain on Friday urged fellow allies of Ukraine to reach a deal to use frozen Russian assets to strengthen its hand for any future peace talks, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London for talks with those allies.
Erdogan says US, others must press Israel to abide by Gaza ceasefire

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the United States and others must do more to push Israel to stop violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the possible use of sanctions or halting arms sales.
EU vows financial backing for Kyiv

European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to meet Ukraine's "pressing financial needs" for the next two years but stopped short of endorsing a plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund a giant loan to Kyiv due to concerns raised by Belgium.
Tourists gawk and recoil at Trump's destruction of the White House East Wing

With many Washington tourist spots closed due to the US government shutdown, some visitors instead are checking out an unexpected and divisive new attraction in the nation's capital: President Donald Trump's surprise demolition of the White House's East Wing.