BudapestcTypeface:> At least eight people have been killed in a fire at a privately-run retirement home near the Serbian capital city of Belgrade, Labour Minister Nemanja Starovic told state news agency Tanjug on Monday.
Seven other residents of the home, located in the suburb of Veliki Borak some 50 kilometres south of Belgrade, were injured in the blaze.
Initial findings suggest that the fire, which broke out overnight, was caused by arson, the minister said, without giving further details.
Starovic said the home had all necessary operational permits and met fire safety requirements.
In Serbia, as in other Balkan countries, the state has largely withdrawn from providing care for the elderly. There are numerous private institutions available to seniors, some of which operate illegally. (DPA)