Eight people die in fire at Belgrade elderly home

Minister for Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Nemanja Starovic told Serbian state TV (RTS) that initial findings suggest arson. He emphasized that the facility had a valid license and met all necessary fire safety requirements.

The fire was extinguished following a large-scale response involving multiple firefighting units. Starovic said thirteen residents were safely evacuated from the building, and alternative accommodation has been arranged for them. He expressed his condolences to the victims’ families.

Luka Causic, acting head of the Interior Ministry’s emergency sector, told RTS that teams are continuing to search the premises to ensure there are no remaining hotspots that could reignite. “This is a big tragedy, but it could have been even worse,” Causic noted.