Tuzla: A devastating fire at a nursing home in northeastern Bosnia has resulted in the death of 11 individuals and left at least 30 others injured, as police in Tuzla continue their investigation into the cause of the blaze. The incident occurred late Tuesday at a facility located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Sarajevo, with the death toll confirmed by authorities on Wednesday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the fire erupted on the seventh floor of the downtown Tuzla nursing home at around 8:45 pm (1945 GMT) and took firefighters an hour to control. The injured include five firefighters and three police officers. Local media reports indicate that many residents of the facility were bedridden and ill, which may have exacerbated the situation.
Footage from the site depicted flames engulfing the upper floors of the building. Ruza Kajic, a resident of the home, recounted her experience to the national broadcaster BHRT, noting, "I had gone to bed when I heard a cracking sound. I don't know if it was the windows in my room breaking." She described seeing burning material falling from above and expressed concern for the bedridden individuals on the upper floors.
Mirsad Bakalovic, the nursing home director, expressed his deep sorrow for the tragic event and announced his resignation in an interview with the Fena news agency. "It's the only human thing to do, the least I can do in this tragedy. My heart goes out to the families of the victims," Bakalovic stated, visibly emotional.
Prosecutor spokesman Admir Arnautovic informed reporters that investigators are working diligently to ascertain the cause of the fire and identify the victims. "The identification of the bodies will take place during the day," he added.
High-ranking officials, including Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Prime Minister Nermin Niksic and Zeljko Komsic, the chairman of the tripartite presidency, have extended their condolences to the families affected by what has been described as "a disaster of enormous proportions."