Most of the deaths were hospitalized in intensive care, while the causes of the fire are still unknown
The victims are mainly patients admitted to intensive care and therefore unable to escape from the flames. A DNA test on the remains will be required for their identification. The intervention of firefighters and law enforcement agencies was of no use.
The causes of the fire are still unknown while the authorities have ordered an urgent investigation. The need for a new center for patients with Covid was due to the recent resumption of infections and deaths related to the pandemic that has been recorded in the country for a few weeks. But the fragility of the national health system has repeatedly made weak and most of the times inadequate structures available to citizens.
The structure had been built in a short time specifically to accommodate another 35 beds dedicated to Coronavirus patients. The injured people were transported to hospitals in the capital Skopje, not far from Tetovo. Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Health Minister Venko Filipce immediately went to the scene, at that time celebrating the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence. Condolences also came from the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli.