Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
A fire ripped through a nursing home in northeastern Bosnia-Herzegovina, leaving 10 residents dead and 20 others hurt. The blaze began late Tuesday on the facility's seventh floor, just after 20:45 local time.
Firefighters, police, medical crews and care staff rushed to evacuate residents and render aid. Twenty people were transported to a medical centre, with several affected by carbon monoxide poisoning and three patients in critical condition in intensive care.
The origin of the fire remains unclear; officials say a full inquiry will take place once access to the site is safe. Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić called the event "a disaster of enormous proportions," underscoring the scale of the incident.
Željko Komšić, chairman of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s tripartite presidency, expressed condolences to victims’ families and pledged support for those impacted.
Residents described chaotic scenes as flames spread. Ruza Kajic, who was on the third floor, said she was woken by cracking noises and watched burning debris fall from above. "I ran into the hallway and realized there were bed-ridden people on the upper floors," she recalled.
Video from the site showed flames pouring from the upper-floor windows while emergency teams worked to contain the fire and evacuate occupants.
The incident has renewed concern about fire safety and emergency planning in care facilities that house elderly and immobile residents.
Officials and advocacy groups are calling for urgent safety reviews of similar multi-storey care institutions across the region.
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