Hospital fire kills 14 in North Macedonia

The number of people killed in a fire that erupted on Wednesday at a hospital in North Macedonia has reached 14, the Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje confirmed on Thursday, reported Xinhua.

Prosecutors were investigating the causes of the blaze that occurred late Wednesday in a hospital that treated patients with COVID-19 in the western city of Tetovo.

The Ministry of Health confirmed on Thursday that a total of 26 patients were being treated in the hospital when the fire broke out. Twelve patients were rescued and are currently being treated in Tetovo hospital without danger to their lives.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said on Wednesday that the blaze was caused by an explosion.

Tetovo has been one of the worst-hit cities by the COVID-19 pandemic, after the capital Skopje, recording high figures in both new infections and fatalities.