Three minors and one elderly person have died in a fire that broke out on the morning of February 15 in a settlement in a neighborhood inhabited by Roma in Tivat, Montenegro.

The fire, which erupted around 04:00, engulfed several structures, and was later reported to the fire department.

As prosecutor Mirjana Tankosic Vucinic told Radio Free Europe, four lifeless bodies were found at the scene.

“We found four burned barracks and four burnt bodies in them. The cause of the fire will be known after assessment by experts,” she said.

The fire engulfed an improvised neighborhood mainly inhabited by Roma. The Council of Roma in Montenegro said that this tragedy highlights the necessity of relocating Roma families from such neighborhoods.

“The fact that many families are forced to live in prefabricated barracks, without adequate conditions and security, is a serious social problem. Without proper support and protective measures, these families are exposed to a greater risk of accidents such as this fire,” the council said.

The Council of Roma urged state authorities to improve housing conditions for the Roma population in Tivat and throughout Montenegro.