Eight people were killed and seven injured when a fire broke out early Monday at a retirement community outside of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
Luka Causic, a police officer overseeing the emergency response, said there were around 30 people inside when the fire 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 said at least six people had died.
“I believe that the competent prosecutor’s office will provide official information very soon, during the day,” he added.
The injured were being treated at the Belgrade Military Hospital.
Causic said the blaze was extinguished by firefighters who acted quickly despite the facility’s location in a remote area.
AFP
