At least fourteen people have been confirmed dead from the massive fire that erupted Wednesday evening at a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients in Tetovo, North Macedonia.
Sources confirm for Euronews Albania that the figure might be higher. All the bodies of the deceased have been retrieved, but no information will be provided until the victims are identified.
30 firefighters were deployed to the scene and the flames have been extinguished, however, the firefighters arrived reportedly late thus making it impossible to evacuate the people from the premises.
The hospital was made of plastic and other highly flammable materials.
From what is known so far, there were 24 patients at the time of the fire, as well as 8 medical staff, as well as family members.
Euronews Albania correspondent in North Macedonia said that the prosecution has launched an investigation on the causes that led to the deadly which brought down the entire hospital in a matter of minutes.
According to preliminary information, the fire might have been triggered by a faulty electrical outlet, but an official story has yet to be confirmed. The government of North Macedonia is set to hold a press conference at 10 AM.
In April, a hospital official warned that the temporary hospitals did not have adequate conditions to treat patients with COVID-19, a statement that was also echoed by health minister Venko Filipce.
The temporary hospital of Tetovo was set up in April to alleviate some of the burden from the main hospital of the city.
Tetovo has been the worst-hit city, after Skopje, recording high figures in both new infections and mortalities.
Currently, the city counts around 1,400 active cases.
International Reaction
The President of the European Parliament David Sassoli expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and a speedy recovery to the injured.
Very sad to hear the news of a deadly fire at a hospital in North Macedonia.
Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy as well as their loved ones.
We wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.
— David Sassoli (@EP_President) September 9, 2021
Kosovo’s foreign policy chief, Donika Gervalla, reached out to her Macedonian counterpart in providing any help.
With great sorrow we received the news about the fire in the hospital of Tetovo. Our thoughts today are with the people of 🇲🇰, especially with the families of the victims.
I have also expressed my deepest condolences to my colleague @Bujar_O.🇽🇰stands with🇲🇰 and is ready to help.— Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz (@gervallaschwarz) September 9, 2021
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